LIBRARY 

<  or  THE 

Theological  Seminary, 

PRINCETON,   N.  J. 

BX  8  .S35  1870 
Schmucker,  S.  S.  1799-1873 
The  true  unity  of  Christ  s 
church 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 


https://archive.org/details/trueunityofchrisOOschm 


THE 

TBLTE  WITY  OF  CPIRIST'S 
CHURCH: 

BEING 

A  RENEWED  APPEAL  TO  THE  FRIENDS  OF  THE  REDEEMER, 
ON  PRnriTIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION,  AND  THE 
HISTORY  OF  ITS  CORRUPTION. 

TO  WHICH  IS  NOW  ADDED 

A  MODIFIED  FLAX  FOE  THE  EE-UXIOX  OF 
ALL  EVANGELICAL  CHURCHES ; 

EMBRACING  AS  INTEGKAL  FARTS, 

THE  WORLD'S  EVANGELICAL  ALLIANCE, 

WITH  ALL  1X9  NATIONAL  BRANCHES. 


By  S.  S.  SCIIMUCKER,  D.D. 


ANSON  D.  F.  KANDOLPU  &  CO., 
770  Broadwat,  cor.  Oth  Street. 
1870. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress  in  tlie  year  1870,  by 


Anson  D.  F.  Randolph  &  Co., 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  ITnifcd  States  for  the 
Southern  District  of  New  York. 


EnwAltn  O.  Jknkins, 
rRIXTEIt  AND  STKREUTi  t'ER, 
SO  Norlli  Wlllliira  .Street,  N.  Y. 


PREFACE  TO  THE  EIEST  EDITION. 

The  folloxv'ing  Appeal  is  affectionately  addi'essed  to  the 
American  churches  of  every  denomination,  m  the  convic- 
tion that  the  subject  of  which  it  treats  is  of  incalculable 
importance  to  the  conversion  of  the  world,  and  in  the  hope 
tnat  the  jilan  of  union  proposed  is  accordant  with  the  spirit 
of  the  divine  Master.  On  the  American  chiu'ches,  so  hai> 
pily  exempt  fi"om  all  eutrammeling  alliance  with  civil  gov- 
ernment, God  seems  specially  to  have  devolved  the  duty  to 
review  the  history  of  his  visible  kingdom,  and,  instructed 
by  the  lessons  of  former  ages,  to  adopt  an  organization 
which  wQl  aiTest  the  intestine  strife  of  Christian  brethren, 
and  unite  all  their  energies  in  effective  efforts  to  extend  the 
triumphs  of  the  cross  to  every  nation  upon  earth  ;  an  or- 
ganization which,  whilst  it  will  restore  the  church  to  the 
substantial  unity  of  the  apostolic  age,  will  also  j^reserve  that 
until/  lliroiii/hdu/,  llv.  whole  extent  of  her  predicted  triumphs 
over  the  hmlhen  ivorlil. 

The  writer  feels  it  alike  duo  to  himself,  to  his  subject, 
and  to  thoHe  of  whom  he  asks  a  hearing,  to  state  that  the 
sentiments  of  the  following  appeal  were  not  hastily  adopted, 
but  are  t'jc  deliberate  result  of  a  conscientious  study  of  tlie 

(3) 


4 


PRKFACK  TO  l-'IRST  KDITIOX. 


subject,  fii'st  lu'ged  ou  bim  by  providential  cii'cumstances 
about  twenty  years  ago,  and  frequently  since  pursued  by 
extensive  investigations  into  the  organization  and  expe- 
rience of  the  cliiu'cli  in  the  differcmt  ages  of  her  histoiy. 
In  presenting  these  results,  he  sought  the  utmost  brevity  ; 
and  yet,  as  the  popular  reader  was  also  contemplated,  some 
observations  and  statements  were  necessarily  introduced, 
which  would  be  superfluous,  were  he  wi-iting  for  the  learned 
alone. 

He  now  commends  these  pages  to  the  candid  and  indul- 
gent exammation  of  "  those  that  love  the  Lord,"  of  every 
name.  He  requests  them  to  test  the  sentiments  advanced, 
not  by  their  ecclesiastical  standards,  which  are  the  work  of 
uninspired  though  good  men,  but  by  the  law  and  the  testi- 
mony, by  the  mspired  word  of  God.  Let  them  solemnly 
inquire,  whether  the  Protestant  churches,  organized  and 
operating  on  the  plan  here  proposed,  would  not  approxi- 
mate much  nearer  to  the  apostolic  church  than  they  now 
do,  whether  they  would  not  act  much  more  eliicientl}'  and 
harmoniously  in  advancing  the  triumphs  of  the  cross  in  the 
heathen  and  papal  world,  and  whether  we  might  not  even 
hope  again  to  see  the  days  when  surrounding  observers 
will  exclaim,  "  See  how  these  Christians  love  one  another." 

If  much  is  to  be  effected  in  this  great  enterprise,  it  must 
bo  thi'ough  the  co-operation  and  iulluenco  of  religious  edit- 
ors and  other  prominent  individuals  in  every  denomination 
of  the  Christian  church,  by  the  public  expression  of  tlieir 
opinions,  and  by  the  discussion  of  the  subject  in  ecclesias- 
tical judicatories,  in  theological  institutions,  and  by  indi- 


PREFACE  TO  FIRST  EDITION. 


5 


vidual  congi'egatious.  The  writer,  therefore,  requests  edit- 
ors of  rehgious  periodicals  aud  papers  favorable  to  the  ob- 
ject, whose  dimensions  admit  of  it,  to  transfer  to  their 
columns,  unaltered,  the  entire  plan  itself,  in  one  or  several 
articles,  including  also  the  Apodolic,  Protestant  Confession, 
and  the  mode  of  operation.  He  also  particularly  com- 
mends this  appeal  to  all  "  Societies  for  the  promotion  of 
Christian  Union  "  that  exist  or  may  be  formed  in  our  land. 
And  most  of  all  would  he  commend  it  to  the  blessing  and 
disposal  of  that  divine  Saviour,  fi-om  a  desire  to  advance 
whose  gioi-y  ho  trusts  these  pages  proceeded. 

S.  S.  SCHaiUCKER. 
Theol.  Sem.,  Gettysburg,  March  26, 1838. 

PEEFACE  TO  THE  SECOND  EDITION. 

The  writer,  having  been  encouraged  by  a  number  of 
highly  respectable  aud  mfluential  brethren  to  pubhsh  a 
second  edition  of  the  Appeal  and  Plan  of  Union,  was  also 
advised  to  procure  a  number  of  testimonials  in  reference  to 
the  proposed  plan.  Tliis  was  deemed  necessary  in  order 
to  call  the  attention  of  the  community  to  it ;  because  the 
Christian  public  seems  to  have  settled  down  in  the  persua- 
sion that  no  jjlan  of  a  feasible  nature  can  be  devised  to  heal 
the  dissensions  among  the  disciples  of  the  Saviour.  Such 
testimonials  have,  tliereforo,  been  prefixed  to  the  work  ; 
and  it  is  intended  irom  time  to  time  to  add  to  their 
number. 


PREFACE  TO  THE  THIRD  EDITION. 


A  NUMBER  of  years  have  elapsed  since  the  second  edition 
of  this  little  volume  on  Christian  Union  has  been  out  of 
piint.  The  frequent  inquiries  for  it,  from  different  portions 
of  oui'  land,  the  occasional  discussions  of  the  subject  in 
Christian  periodicals  and  in  different  churches,  as  well  as 
the  recent  glorious  re-union  of  the  two  principal  branches 
of  the  Presb_j'terian  church,  clearly  evince  the  conviction  of 
Protestants  in  general  that  they  must  enter  into  some 
nearer  relations  of  miion  and  co-operation  with  each  other, 
if  they  would  resist  the  deeplaid  and  steadily  progressive 
encroachments  and  schemes  of  Papal  priests,  sometimes 
ignorantly  executed  by  our  Romish  neighbors.  Without 
such  concentration  and  concert,  we  may  hope  in  vain  to 
defend  our  noble  free-school  system,  or  to  secure  the  fi'ee 
circulation  of  God's  Holy  Word,  the  charter  of  our  privi- 
leges, civil  as  well  as  pohiical,  throughout  our  land,  and 
our  own  various  public  institutions  ;  or  to  prevent  coiTupt 
politicians  from  pei-verting  our  State  and  national  funds 
fi'om  their  legitimate  uses  to  the  support  of  Popery  and 
sectarianism. 

These  potent  facts,  together  with  the  expected  meeting 
in  our  land  of  the  AVorld's  Evangelical  Alliance,  the 
largest  and  most  glorious  practical  Union  Association  which 
the  world  has  ever  beheld,  cannot  fail  to  attmct  the  public 
attention  to  this  subject,  and  point  out  the  present  as  a 
suitable  time  for  the  re-issue  of  the  present  volume,  whose 
original  publication  was  confessedly  not  without  some  in- 
fluence in  seeming  the  attention  of  British  Christians  to 
the  fonnation  of  this  grc^t  and  blessed  Alliance. 


PREFACE  TO  THIRD  EDITION. 


7 


To  this  will  probably  be  added  some  results  of  a  quarter 
of  a  century's  later  observation  and  experience,  terminating 
in  a  modified  plan  for  systematizing  and  biiuging  into 
closer  connection  the  several  Union  organizations  now  exist- 
ing detached  in  different  parts  of  our  land  and  of  the 
world. 

The  jilan  accompamdng  the  former  editions  of  this  work 
was  not  objected  to  by  the  most  enlightened  fi-iends  of 
Christian  Union  as  defective  in  principle  ;  but  its  requisi- 
tions were  deemed  too  elevated  for  the  existing  state  of  the 
church.  Therefore,  whilst  we  still  retain  it  in  the  book  as 
the  natiu'al  and  logical  outgi-owth  fi-oni  the  piinciples  there 
advocated,  Ave  have  deemed  it  the  dictate  of  practical  wis- 
dom to  propose  a  modified,  an  experimental  one,  correct  as 
far  as  it  goes,  but  not  making  so  much  innovation  on  the 
present  state  of  the  churches  ;  yet,  gradually  and  A\-ithout 
fi-iction,  elevating  the  fraternal  relations  of  the  churches 
imtil  such  a  union  is  at  length  attaiaed,  under  the  guidance 
of  Providence,  as  the  Master  prayed  for  and  will  approve. 
Thus,  also,  we  feel  fully  assured  that  whilst  we,  as  individ- 
uals and  as  churches,  faithfully  obey  the  light  we  possess, 
and  secure  the  results  within  oui*  reach,  not  exactly  fore- 
knowing "whereunto  these  things  wUl  grow,"  the  blessed 
and  divine  IJcdeemcr,  who  is  now  exalted  to  the  right  hand 
of  the  Father,  and  governs  the  imivei-se  for  his  own  glory 
and  the  benefit  of  his  churcb,  will  infallibly  direct  and 
oveiTule  these  movements  for  the  accompUshment  of  liis 
gracious  p\u-poses.  With  these  views,  we  commend  this 
Uttle  volume  to  his  diviac  blessing  and  acceptance. 

Getttsblrq,  April  10, 1870. 


DEDICATION. 


To  the  several  Branches  of  tJie  Evangelical  Alliance, 
whose  organization  is  the  most  successful  realization 
extant,  of  the  sentiments  inculcated  in  these  pages,  and 
ivhose  principles  form  the  basis  of  the  highest  phase  of 
Christianity  on  earth,  this  volume  is  fraternally  dedi- 
cated by  the  author;  n>ith  the  prayer,  that  by  the 
Master  s  blessing,  it  may  conduce  to  the  further  confir- 
jnation  of  His  disciples,  in  the  unity  of  the  Spirit  and 
the  bond  of  Peace. 


JNDEX  OF  SUBJECTS. 


Acknowledjjmcnt   of  ecclesiastical  and  ministerial  standing  by 

early  Christians,         ......  115 

Alliance,  the  World's  Evangelical,  history  of,  30 ;  this  Appeal  not 

vatliout  some  iulluenee,  .....  30-33 
Alliance,  American  Branch,  why  formed  so  late,  33 ;  history  of  its 

formation,      35,  30 ;  its  ditferent  national  branches,      .  37 

  what  it  has  already  accomplished,       .         .         .         37,  38 

Amphictj'onic  Councils,   ......  92 

American  Tract  and  S.  School  Societies  discuss  chiefly  the  common 

ground  of  Christian  doctrine,  ....  145 

Apostles'  Creed,  its  early  form,   .....  109 

   ,  additions  made  to,      .  .         .  .      100,  110 

Apostolic,  Protestant  Confession,         ....  :iOS-213 

Atonement,  .......  209 

Augustine,  on  the  necessity  of  church  membership,    .         .  94 
Baxter,  Richard,  on  the  tendency  of  sectarianism  to  aid  Popery,  79,  80,  81 
Baptism,  tlie  initiatory  New  Testament  rite,    ...  87 
Baptist  Church,  its  origin,  .....      135,  211 

Bequests  to  the  ehurcli,  canon  allowing  it,       .  .         .  137 

Bible,  the,  the  Religion  of  Protestants,  ....  83 

Bonds  of  Union  post-apostolic,  .....      124,  125 

Calvin's  love  of  Union,     ......  131 

Canon.s,  early,  on  church  matters.         .         .         .1 10,  117, 119,  120 

Calvinistie  Church,  or  Presbyterian,  its  origin,  .         .  136 

Canon,  Scripture,  .......  208 

Celsus,  views  of,  on  resurrection,  103,  107;  on  primitive  Christian 

Union,  .......  141 

Chambers,  Dr.,  testimony  for  Christian  Union,  .         .  23 

Church  membership,  essential  to  salvation,     .         .         .         94,  95 

 ,  certiiicates  of,  necessary  as  passports  in  travelling,  119 

Church  edifices,  when  first  erected,       .         .         .         .  68 

Chambers,  Dr.  on  Union,  .         .         .         •         .  23 

Church,  of  the,      .......  210 

Clemni's  Introduction,  Vol.  IV.,  ....  110 

Civil  Govcriiiiieut,  ......  213 

Community  of  interest  among  Christians,        .         .         .  70,71 
Communion,  sacramental,  ministerial,  .  .  118,  119,  120,  193 

Communion  of  Saints,      ......  214 

Convention,  Annual,  of  elders,  in  Cvprian's  time,      .         .  92J 
Confession,  Apostolic,  Protestant,  508-213 ;  how  formed,     .  183 
Councils,  or  Synods,        ......  123 

Concert  month.  Christian,  .....  194 

Congregational,  or  Independent  Church,  .  .  .  136 

Conscience,  liberty  of,      .....  .  213 

Conversion  of  the"  World,  how  many  Missionaries  required,  225 ;  the 

real  olistacle,   .......  234 

Corinth,  divi.sions  in  church  of,   .         .         .         .         .  103 

Councils  or  Synods,  125  ;  Council  Intor-dcnominational  fonncd  in 

N.  Y.,  39,  40,  49;  its  designs,  43,  44;  declaration  on  the  nature 

of  Christian  Union,    .         .         .         .         .         .  47,48 

Cup,  denial  of  the,  to  the  laitv,   .....  213 

Creed,  the  Apostles',  .-o  callell,  cariy  fonn,  109,  110,  124 
  —   ,    addilioiis  to,  110,111,124 

(9) 


lO 


INDEX  OF  SUBJECTS. 


Creeds  Prot^tint,  Coneensns  of,  ....  206 

 N'icene,  -when  adopted,  112  ;  iU  form  enlarged  as  now  fonnd 

in  the  Episcopal  Prayer  book,  113 ;  Greek  original  of,    .  114 
■Creeds,  trans-fundamental,  ■what?         ....  140 

Cyprian  cited,       .......       92,  15tt 

D'aries,  Pres.,  on  the  liberality  of  the  early  Presb.  discipline  in  this 

coontry,  176;  his  sermons  recommended,  .  .  185 

Denominations,  origin  of,  .....      133-1  ■J'i 

Depravity,  human,  ......  "iOCt 

Diversity  of  doctrinal  views  not  fnllv  provided  against  by  Scripture, 

97,  98,  99 ;  existed  in  apostolic  times,       .         .         100,  101,  103 
Divisions,  e\-Us  of  sectarian,       .....  2i 

Divisions,  sectarian,  principle  of,         ...         .  21 

Differences  amonf?  the  early  Christians,  ....      141,  142 

Discipline,  for  non-fundamental  errors  in  doctrine,  vttojis, 

1«9, 170,  in,  172,  173 
 ,  the  General  Synod  of  the  Lutheran  Church  limits  disci- 
pline to  non-fundamentals,    ....         174,  175,  177 

Doubtful  disputations  on  abstract  doctrines  in  apostolic  a^,  104 
Episcopacy,  low  church,  formerly  more  numerous,  .  196 

Episcopacy,  125,  126 ;  Episcopal "chnrch,  its  ori^n,  135 
Early,  post-apostolic,  history  obscure,  .         .  83,  84 

Easter,  difference  in  celebrating  it,  102 ;  Dr.  Murdock  on,     .  103 
Education,  Sectarian,  evils  of,     ....         .  74 

Elders  and  Bishops,  the  same,     .....  125 

Edifices,  church,  when  first  erected,      ....  63 

Epistolary,  communion,  primitive,        ....      120,  121 

Essential'  features  of  church  forms  and  practice  are  found  in 

Scripture,        .......  84 

Eusebius'  testimony  on  early  Epistles,  .         .         .  121 

 ,  on  the  dispute  concerning  Easter,  ...  66 

External  bonds  of  Union,  .....  124-li:0 

Favor  of  the  State  corrupted  the  Church,  .  .  .  128 
Features  of  our  original  Plan  for  Union,  .  .  .  160 
Fundamental  doctrines  form  the  body  of  American  Tract  and  Sun- 
day School  publications,  .....  145 
Fundamental  doctrines,  the  profession  of,  alone  essential,  106-lOS,  109 
General  Synod,  Lutheran,  on  Christian  Union,  23 
Geo^pliical  names  given  to  the  primitive  chnrche-.  106 
God  essentially  benevolent,        .         .         .  81,  85 

  213 

106 

23 


Government,  civil,  its  power. 
Green,  Dr.,  A.-hbel,  'luoted, 
Harris,  Dr.,  of  England,  . 

Heathen  Lands,  sectarianism  hinders  the  gospel  in,  .    76,  77, 


Heresy,  primitive  meaning  of. 
Houses  of  worship,  earliest  Christian, 


Irenaeus'  opinion  on  the  primitive  fundamental  doctrines,  111,  112; 


believed  by  all  Christians 
Interdenominational  Union,  its  popularitj-, 
Judgment,  future, 

Julian,  the  apostate,  cause  of  his  relapses. 
Justification,  .... 
Justin,  Martyr,  on  the  Lord's  day,  or  Sunday, 
-,  on  primitive  mode  of  worshii 


59,  60,  61,  KiS 
68 


112,  113 
48 
214 


King's,  Dr.,  Historv-  of  the  Ev.  Alliance, 
Kunzc,  Rev'd,  of  Prussia, 

Labor  secular,  of  ministers,  conflicting  carions  on,  V>2,  1.VJ ;  Dr. 

Ncindcr'i  viwi  on,  .....  l.">3 


2:n 

II'.  w 
U">,  06,  07 
30 
23 


INDEX  OF  SUBJECTS. 


Lay  representatives  in  the  first  convention,  or  Synods,         .  93 
Liberality  of  Paul,  ......  20 

Liberty  of  diffjronce  on  non-fundamentals  oaghttobeallowed  by  all 

cUnrches,        .         .         .         .         .         .  .      172,  173 

LutluT,  hU  ImmUity  ;  he  opposes  calling  the  church  after  him,  135 
Latlieran  Church,  orijrin  of,         ....         .  13i 

   General  Sjniod  of,  favors  Christian  Union  23 

Luther  oi-ges  men  to  study  his  works  less  and  the  Bible  more,  147 

 ,  his  liberality,         ......  173 

Mitthews,  Dr.,  his  activity  in  orginizing  the  Inter-denominational 

Coancil  in  New  York,  .....  41— i9 

MjUncht'nn,  on  ths  Apo  ales'  Creed,  cited,    .         .  .  110 

McrU:  d'AulJi;^nc,  Dr.,  on  Christian  Union,  ...  23 
Methodist  Church,  origin  of,       .  ...  136 

Ministeri.il  communion  and  recognition,         .         .         .      104,  195 
Ministers'  secular  labor,  opposite  Canons  on  ;  allowed,  153,  etc  ;  for- 
bidden, ....  .         152,  1.55,  156 
Missionary  professorhips  recommended,  .    .     .  230 
Missionarv  Societies,  non-interference  between,         .         .  218 

Monod,  Rev.,   23 

Monthly  Concert,  Christian,       .         .         .         .         .    .  194 

Moravian  Church,  or  United  Brethren  (modern),  orgin  of,  .  138 
Names,  sectarian,  unscriptural,  .         .  .       '  .         .  19 

  geographical  alone  used  by  the  Apostles,       .  .  lOlj 

Names  of  members  of  tlie  lirst  Union  Society,  .  .  1.5-17 

  6ubseril)ers  to  the  Overture,  .         .         .29,  20,  31 

  -  participants  in  the  formation  of  the  American  Branch  of 

the  Ev.  Alliance,        .         .         .         .  .         .         35,  30 

 ,  connecled  wilh  the  organization  of  the  Intcr-dcnominatioa:il 

Council  lit  New  York,         .         .         •  .         .  41-47 

Neander,  Dr.  th.;  hiitorian,  cited,         ....  93 

 ,  on  early  Secular  labor  of  ministers,    .  .         .      1.53,  1.54 

Nic -ne  Crc3d,  when  a;lopteJ,  Hi ;  and  why,    .         .  113 

 ,  enlarged,  by  Synod  of  Constantinople,        .  113,113 

 ,  (Jreek  original  of,  114 ;  Englisli  version,      .  113 

Or^iuizition  Protestant,  cn;fectivo,  ....  21-23 
Origca,  on  urimitiTC  diversity  of  opinions  among  Christians, 

75,  141,  142,  143 

 ,  reply  to  Colsns,  141,143 

Origin  of  Protoitint  denominations,  ....  133-136 
Overture  for  Christian  Union,  .....  18 
St.  Paul,  the  Apostle,  labored  for  his  support,  1.55  ;  at  what  trade  ?  155 
Peter  liad  no  more  authority  from  Christ  than  the  other  apostles,  93 
Peter  had  no  power  absolutelv  to  forgive  sin,  .         .    .  93 

Planck,  Dr.,  of  Germany,  his  Letter  to  thcGeueral  Synod,  .  123 
Popery,  its  origin  in  the  7lh  century,      ...  96,  97,  129 

 ,  unscriptural,  .         .         .         .  93,  94,  etc, 

Poat-apo-itolie  bonds  of  Union,  .....  134 
Palton,  Dr.,  his  activity  in  organizing  the  American  Branch  Alliance,  35 
Prayer,  cxtempr)rary,  Justin  Martyr  on,  .  ...  21 
Preachers,  eertiiiii  men  appointed  as,  ....  S7 
Pri-  bytcrian  or  Calviuistie  ehurdi,  its  origin,  .  .  .  Wi 
Pride,  cccle-iaslifMl  :  .  .  .  .         149,  l.'O,  1.51 

P.of  '  sors'iips,  Mii-ionary,  recommended,  instiM  l  of  Polemical,  230 
Prominence  to  be  given  to  fiindainental  truth,  .  1^ 
Protestant  denominations,  origin  of,  .  07-71 
Protestantism,  c:\usc  of  It*  weaknC  'fl,     .         .  .21,  '32,  23 


12 


INDEX  OF  SUBJECTS. 


Refonued  Churcli,  (German)  its  origin,  .         .         .  135 

 ,  (Dutch)  originates  the  Interdeuominatloual 

Council,         .......  41 

Roessler's  Bibliothek,  etc.,         .      -  .         .         .         .  120 

Sectarian  divisions  carnal,  03 ;  none  allowed  by  the  apostles,  13,  515, 

57,  01,  03 ;  evil  consequences  of,     .         .         .  70,  10(5,  107 

Sectarian  strife,  causes  of,         ....         .      Vj",  lod 

Schism,      .         .         .         .         .         .         .         .         01,  63 

Stoics,  a  sect,       .......  til 

Scripture  proofs  for  Union,        .         .         .  55,  56,  57,  &c.,  64 

 Examples  —   ,         .....  ()-l-66 

Sabbath,  Christian  santitication  of,       .         .  .         .       65,  137 

 ,    edict  for,  ....  137 

Salvation,  scripture  plan  of,  through  Christ,  .  .  .  84,  83 
Scriptures,  impartial  study  of,  hiudercd  by  Sectarian  divisions,  73  ; 

progress  of  the  gospel  impeded,  .  .  .  •  '•'4,  75,  76 
Sectarian  idolatry  or  man  worship,       ....  140 

   ,  condemned  by  Luther,        .         .         147,  148,  149 

Society  for  Christian  Union,  the  first  formed,  14;  on  the  general 
jir'inciples  of  this  book,  14, 15 ;  in  Tract  House,  N.  Y.,  14;  when, 
14;  members,  15,  17;  overture,  17-39;  action  of  the  Lutheran 
General  Synod  adopting  the  principles  of  this  work,       .  33 
Son  of  God,  .......  209 

State,  union  with  tlie  Church,  136;  history  of,  .         .  127 

Stockton,  Rev.  Dr.  on  Union,     .....  23 

Strife,  Sectarian  causes  of,  .....      137,  156 

Synod,  or  Council,  at  Jerusalem,  a  pro  re  nata  mueling  .  88,  89 
Synods,  stated,  voluntary  Associations,  ...  93 

 ,  opposition  to  their  earliest  stated  meetings,   .         .  93 

Tertullian  cited,  93  ;  on  Synods,  ....  136 

Training,  sectarian,  its  intluenee,         ....  144 

Tranufuudamental  Creeds,  what  ?         ....  140 

Transub.;tantiation,         ......  211 

Trinity  and  God,  ......  209 

Union,  Christian,  its  nature,  19,  83,  8.5,  86;  the  Saviour's  command, 
18;  not  in  subjection  of  the  whole  church  to  one  judicatory,  19; 
nor  to  one  head,  or  pope,      .       .  ...  19 

Union,  Features  of  our  modified  plan, 
Union,  Christ,  consisted  in  unity  of  name. 
Union,  spirit  of,  increasing,  39,  .51,  .53,  53 ;  Preliminaries  of, 

 of  Chur'-h  and  State,  history  of, 

 Christian,  Nature  and  principles  of,  aflirmed,  . 

■  Scriptural  injunction 


Quit}' of  fundamentals,  19 ;  not  of  minor  points, 

  -  visible  church,  theory  of,  by  Cyprian, 

  in  mutual  acknowledgment, 

  in  sacramental  and  ministerial  communion, 

Unity,  absolute,  of  views,  not  provided  for  in  Scripture,  45 

99;  Unity  of  s|)irit  absolutely  necessary, 
Vater,  testimony  of,  on  early  church  cdilices, 
Visible  head  or  pope,  uuscriptural, 
Wesley,  John,  ...... 

White,  Hisliop,  a  low  chnrclinian, 
World,  Convi'r.-.ion  of,  319,  331 ;  How  many  Mis.-ionaries  needed,  22.5,  220 
Worship,  social,  obligation  to,  ....  87 


233,  etc. 
19,  106 
54 

137,  138 
47,  48 
.56 
97 
94,  95 

19,  ,53 

20,  53 
97,  98, 

105 
68 
93,  iH 
136 
ISHi 


^SOPERTY  OF 


INTRODUCTION. 

TniRTr  and  two  years  have  elajjsed  since  this  little  work 
on  the  piinciples  of  Apostolic,  Chiistiau  luiion,  with  the 
practical  plan  developed  from  them,  was  first  addressed  to 
the  American  churches.  An  entire  generation  of  professed 
disciples  of  the  Master  has  passed  over  the  stage  of  action, 
has  gone  to  the  place  whither  lie  has  gone  before  them  ; 
and  yet  his  visible  kingdom  on  cai-th,  though  much  more 
imbued  with  the  spirit  of  love  and  union  still  remains 
extensively  divided.  Nor,  can  it  be  denied,  that  in  the 
onward  movements  of  the  Redeemer's  chariot  wheels  over 
the  nations,  important  progress  has  been  made,  and  He 
whose  right  it  is  to  reign  has  taken  the  nations  into  his  own 
hand,  and  has  guided  them  for  the  furtherance  of  his 
own  gracious  purposes  of  truth,  righteousness  and  human 
hberty.  The  general  principles  of  this  plan  of  professed, 
apostolic,  Clu'istian  union,  found  so  sti'ong  a  response  in 
the  hearts  of  believers,  that  thousands  of  the  best  and 
ablest  men  in  oui*  land  became  deeply  interested  in  its 
success  ;  that  several  editjons  of  the  bot)k  wci'e  called  for 
in  less  than  a  year,  and  the  al)lest  editoi's  of  the  religious 
press  deemed  the  subject  worthy  of  some  discussion  and 
generally  of  decided  commendation.  Our  ablest  American 
divines,  and  even  distinguished  stjitesmen,  did  not  licsitate 


14 


IXTRODUCTION. 


to  bear  testimony  iu  favor  of  the  general  piinciples  and 
plan  proposed  in  this  work,  at  a  time  when  such  a  course 
demanded  some  moral  corn-age  ;  since  any  plan  to  ejffect 
this  noble  and  cherished  object  of  the  Savioui-'s  prayer, 
had,  imtil  then,  been  deemed  visionaiy.  With  a  view  to 
give  sti-ength  to  the  cause,  by  concentrating  to  a  focus  the 
rays  of  influence  and  light  scattered  over  the  different 
parts  of  om-  land,  the  writer  published  a  number  of  lettei-s 
received  fi-om  eminent  individuals  on  the  subject,  and  pre- 
fixed them  to  the  second  edition  of  the  work.  As  a 
memorial  to  after  times,  of  the  noble  men  who  at  that  ^ 
early  day  took  active  part  in  behalf  of  the  cause,  they  are 
still  retained  in  the  present  edition  as  an  appendix.* 

By  the  spiing  of  1839  the  interest  in  the  unity  of  the 
Chi'istian  chrux-h  had  become  so  strong  and  extensive,  that 
a  meeting  was  called,  during  the  Anniversaries,  on  the  Gth 
of  May,  in  the  Tract  Society's  Rooms,  for  the  piui^ose  of 
organizing  a  Society  for  the  Pi-omotion  of  Christian  Union, 
Avhose  principles  had  prerioiisly  been  discussed.  As  the 
nan-ative  possesses  some  personal  interest  to  many  indi- 
viduals, and  has  become  a  reHc  of  the  past,  now  rarely 
met  with,  we  transfer  it  to  our  pages  in  detail  from  the 
New  York  Obserrcr,  always  the  decided  advocate  of  this 
sacred  cause,  f 

"  Society  fok  the  Peomotiox  of  CmasTi.\N  Union. 

"  At  a  meeting  of  several  gentlemen  of  various  denomina- 
tions, called  on  the  9th  of  May,  at  the  Tract  Committee 
Iiooms,  for  the  pm-posc  of  devising  and  adopting  a  plan  to 
unite  Chi'istians  of  difierent  denominations  in  a  more  inti- 
mate and  friendly  alhance,  the  Ficv.  Dr.  Knox,  of  this  city, 
was  called  to  the  chaii",  and  the  Rev.  John  Mai'sh  was  ap- 

•  See  Appendix  No.  1.     f  See  N.  T.  Obse:  vtr  of  May  18, 1889. 


INTRODUCTION". 


pointed  Secretary.  The  Divine  blessing  was  invoked ; 
and,  after  a  statement  of  the  object  of  the  meeting,  by 
the  Eev.  DiV  Schmucker,  of  the  Lutheran  churc;h,  it  was 
unanimously  resolved,  That  it  is  expedient  at  this  time  to 
form  and  organize  an  American  Association  for  the  px'omo- 
tion  of  Christian  Union  on  apostohcal  principles,  accord- 
ing to  the  genei'al  plan  proposed  in  the  '  Fraternal  Aj^pea,! 
to  the  American  Churches. 

The  following  constitution  was  adopted : 

Art.  1.  This  Society  shall  be  called  the  American  So- 
ciety for  the  Promotion  of  Christian  Unign  on  Apostolical 
Pi'incijiles. 

Art.  2.  The  design  of  this  Society  shall  be,  not  to  form 
a  new  sect,  but  to  establish  more  amicable  relations  beLween 
the  several  orthodox  Christian  denominations. 

Art.  3.  The  oiiicers  of  this  Society  shall  be  a  President, 
&c.,  to  be  chosen  annually. 

Art.  4.  The  business  of  this  Society  shall  be,  to  discuss 
the  subject  of  Cliristian  Union  in  all  its  relations  ;  to  cir- 
culate information  concerning  the  Plan  of  Union  presented 
in  the  '  Fraternal  Appeal  to  the  American  Churches '  ;  to 
raise  funds  for  the  circulation  of  publications  elucidating 
this  plan,  and  to  adopt  such  measui'cs  as  may  be  calculated 
to  call  the  attention  of  the  different  rehgious  denominations 
to  this  subject,  and  induce  them  to  accede  to  the  Union. 

Art.  5.  Associations  for  the  promotion  of  Christian 
Union,  coinciding  with  the  general  object,  and  adopting  the 
fom'th  article,  shall,  on  apphcation,  be  acknowledged  as 
auxihary  to  this  Society."* 

*  Tbe  following  officers  were  elected : 

PRESIDENT. 

Rev.  David  Porter,  D.  D.,  of  tiic  Presbyterian  cliurili,  C';aMull,  N.  Y. 

VICE  PRESIDENTS. 

Rev.  Justin  Edwnnls,  1).  D.,  of  tlm  Congregational  eli.,  Andover,  Mosa. 


i6 


IXTRODUCTIOX. 


The  history  of  tbis  organization  is  soon  told.  That 
meeting  was  held  late  in  the  week,  after  some  of  the  most 
active  fiiends  of  the  cause  had  left  the  city,  who  therefore 
bad  no  opportunity  for  concert  aiid  lading  of  plans  for 
action.  But,  owing  chiefly  to  the  troubled  state  of  the 
ecclesiastical  atmosphere,  growing  out  of  the  late  d  snipted 
condition  and  unhappy  conflicts  throughout  the  branches 
of  the  Presbyterian  church,  the  attention  was  diverted,  and 
httle  progi'ess  was  made  in  this  blessed  work  for  several 
years. 

Five  yeai's  later,  however,  the  cause  of  Union  began  to 
reN-ive,  and  its  friends  felt  encoiu-aged  to  resume  operations 
for  renewed  organization.    Active  coiTespondence  had  not 

Rev.  Charles  Demme,  D.  D.,  of  the  Lutheran  church,  Philadelphia. 
Rev.  Pharcellns  Church,  D.  D.,  of  the  Baptist  church,  Rochester,  N.  T. 
Rev.  Stephen  H.  T\Tig,  D.  D.,  of  the  Prot.  Episcopal  church,  Phila. 
Rev.  John  P.  Durbin,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  Carlisle,  Pa. 
Rev.  F.  A.  Ranch,  D.  D.,  of  the  German  Ref.  church,  Mercersburs:,  Pa. 
Right  Rev.  William  H.  Tan  Vleck,  of  the  Moravian  ch.,  Salem,  N.  C. 
Rev.  A.  Wylie,  D.  D.,  of  the  Associate  Reformed  church,  Indiana. 
Rev.  Eliphalet  Nott,  D.  D.,  of  the  Presbyterian  ch.,  Schenectady,  X.  T. 
Rev.  Dr.  Jennings,  of  the  Prot.  Methodist  church,  Baltimore,  Md. 
Rev.  Samuel  H.  Cos,  D.  D.,  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  X.  Y. 

DIBECTOnS. 

Rev.  S.  S.  Schmucker,  D.  D.,  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  church, 
Gettysburg,  Pa. 

Rev.  Thos.  H.  Skinner,  D.  D.,  of  the  Presbyterian  ch.,  Xew  York  city. 
Rev.  Jamo?  E.  'Welch,  of  the  Baptist  church,  Burlington,  X.  J. 
Prof.  Moses  Stuart,  of  the  Congregational  church,  Andovcr,  Mass. 
Prof.  Romeo  Elton,  of  the  Baptist  church.  Providence,  R.  L 
Rev.  Ernest  L.  Hazclius,  of  the  Evangelical  Luth.  ch.,  Lexington,  S.  C. 
Rev.  Xathan  S.  S.  Bcman,  D.  D.,  of  the  Presbyterian  ch.,  Troy,  X.  Y. 
Rev.  Jeremiah  Day,  D.D.,  of  the  Congregational  ch.,  Xew  Haven,  Conn. 
Rev.  Asa  Turner,  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  Denmark.  Iowa. 
Rev.  William  Hill,  D.  D.,  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  Winchester,  Va. 
Rev.  Benjamin  Kurtz,  D  D.,  of  the  Evangelical  Luth.  ch.,  Baltimore. 
Zechariah  Lewis,  Esq.,  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  Brooklyn,  X.  Y. 
Jacob  Lex,  Esq.,  of  the  Protestant  Episcoiwl  churdi,  PhUadolphia. 
Richard  F.  Hainos,  Esq.,  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  Xew  York  city 


INTRODUCTION. 


17 


been  wholly  intermitted.  Accordingly  in  1845  the  writer 
prepared  a  Cu'culai',  expository  of  the  general  principles  of 
the  plan  of  Union  developed  in  his  book.  This  he  had 
printed  on  a  large  sheet,  then  sent  to  each  individual  whose 
name  is  attached  to  it,  and  afterwards  pubhshed  it  by  per- 
mission with  all  the  names,  inviting  a  meeting  at  New  York 
during  the  ensuing  Spi"ing  of  1846. 

This  Overtui'e  here  finds  its  appropriate  phice,  as  well  to 
indicate  the  progress  of  events,  as  also,  with  its  roll  of 
honor,  to  give  the  tribute  of  respect  due  to  those  soldiers 
of  the  cross  who  had  stepped  into  the  foremost  ranks  to 
vindicate  the  unity  of  the  Saviom-'s  body,  in  ISi.j,  the 
infancy  of  pi-actical  union. 

Eev.  ■William  CoggswcU,  D.  D.,  of  the  Congrcgat'al  ch.,  Boston,  Mass. 
"Willard  Hall,  Esq.,  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  Wilmington,  DeL 
David  Gilbert,  M.  D.,  of  the  Evangelical  Lutheran  ch.,  Gettysburg,  Pa. 
Rev.  Dr.  Capers,  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  church,  Charleston,  8.  C. 
Rev.  Nehemiah  Brown,  of  the  Presbyterian  church.  New  York  city. 

EXECrTIVE  COMMITTEE. 

Rev.  Thomas  H.  Skinner,  D.  D. ;  Rev.  S.  S.  Schmucker,  D.  D.  ;  Rev. 
Samuel  H.  Cox,  D.  D. ;  Rev.  John  Marsh ;  Rev.  W.  D.  Strobel ;  Rev. 
John  J.  Owen  ;  Rev.  Nehcmiah  Brown. 

CORRESPON'DIJ.'G  SECRETAEIE3. 

Rev.  Samuel  U.  Cox,  D.  D. ;  Rev.  John  J.  Owen. 

BECORDING  SECRETARY. 

:  Rev.  Benj'n  Labaree. 

TREASCRER. 

Richard  T.  llaincs,  Esq. 
Resolved,  Thai  it  be  recommended  to  the  Executive  Committee,  to 
prepare  and  publish  an  address  to  the  American  churches,  and  to  hold  . 
an  anniversary  in  this  city,  in  May  next.  Adjourned  sine  die. 

Attest,  J.  Marsh,  Secretary. 

P.  S.  Editors  of  religious  periodicals  throughout  the  country,  will  con- 
fer u  favor  by  inserting  the  above  in  their  columns. 


O^^RTUEE  FOR  CHRISTIAN  UNION, 


SUBMITTED  FOR  THE  CONSIDERATION  OF  THE  EVAICGEI.ICAL  DENOMINA- 
TIONS IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 

.^£!heistian  Beethben, — The  undersigned  respectfully  ad- 
dress you  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesiis,  qp  the  gi-eat  and 
cardinal  interests  of  our  common  Christianity.  That  the 
blessed  Saviour  designed  an  intimate  union  between  the 
different  members  of  his  ciystical^body,  the  church,  is  ele- 
vated above  aU  doubt  by  his  ovm  declaration,  '■  Onej^s  your 
Master,  Christ,  and  ye  are  ailbrdhrcn."  That  the  preserva- 
tion of  this  union  possessed  supreme  importance  in  his 
view,  he  has  himself  taught  us  in  his  memoi'able  prayer, 
"  Neither  pray  I  for  these  alone,  but  for  them  _also  who 
shall  believe  on  me  through  theu*  word  ;  that  they  all  may 
be  one,  as  thou  Father  art  in  me  and  I  in  thee,  that  they 
also  may  be  one  in  us,  that  the  world  may  beUevo  that 
thou  hast  sent  me."  The  climx-h  is  represented  by  the 
great  Apostle  as  "the  body  of  Chiist,"  and  we  are  taught 
that  "  there  is  one  body  and  one  spuit,  even  as  ye  ai-e  called 
in  one  hope  of  yoiu-  calling  ;  one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  ba}> 
tism  ;"  thus  manifestly  inculcating  the  spiiit  of  unity  in  the 
church,  and  representing  the  entii'e  commimity  of  believers 
as  substantially  one  body,  into  which  aU  are  atlmittcd  by 
the  ordinance  baptism,  and  in  which  they  profess  substan- 
tially the  same  faith  and  cherisli  the  same  hopes. 

This  language,  it  is  conceded,  does  not  specify  the  precise 
extent  to  which  unity  of  visible  organization  shall  be  re- 
quired.   Nor  is  this  fact  determined  elsewhere  in  Scripture 
in  the  abstract.    Yet  does  the  metaphor  of  tlie  apostlo 
(i8) 


INTRODUCTION. 


19 


manifestly  imply  intimacy  of  relation  ;  for,  although  there 
are  ordinarily  different  members  belonging  to  one  body, 
they  are  always  closely  connected  with  each  other.  Yea, 
this  connection  is  vital,  is  essential  to  their  existence,  and 
that  member  of  the  body  becomes  a  putrid  mass,  which  is 
wholly  severed  from  the  living  trunk. 

Under  these  cu'cumstances  it  becomes  a  duty  of  surpass- 
ing importance,  to  inquire,  what  are  the  nature  and  extent 
of  the  union  so  highly  prizsd  by  the  Saviour,  and  so  vital 
to  the  prosperity  of  his  body,  the  church.  If  the  New  Tes- 
tament does  not  present  a  solution  of  tliis  question  in  these, 
the  point  is  rirtually  solved  by  the  pracitice  of  the  church 
under  the  guidance  of  the  Saviour  and  his  inspu-ed  apos- 
tles. This  union,  if  we  mistake  not,  consisted  not  in  the 
subjection  of  the  entire  church  in  any  country  itndcr  one 
supreme  judicatory  ;  much  less  in  the  subjugation  of  the 
whole  visible  church  on  earth  under  one  head  or  pope  ; 
neither  did  it  consist  in  absolute  imanimity  of  doctrinal 
views  ;  for  this  did  not  exist  even  in  the  apostolic  age. 
But  on  the  other  hand,  its  features  were : 

 a.  Unity  of  name.    Tlie  whole  body  was  styled  the 

Chridian  chm'ch,  and  its  different  parts  were  discriminated 
by  the  addition  of  geographical  designations  to  the  com- 
mon name  ;  such  as  the  chm'ch  of  Antioch,  of  Jemsalem, 
of  Corinth.  Sectarian  names,  that  is,  names  based  upon 
diversity  of  views  or  predilections,  such  as  the  church  of 
Paul,  or  of  Apollos,  or  Cephas,  or  Luther,  or  Calvin,  or 
Wesley,  were  most  unequivocally  discountenanced. 
,  h.  Uuityjn  fundamentals,  whilst  diversity  in  non-csscu- 
tials  was  conceded,  and  "  the  brother  who  was  weak  in  the 
faith  was  received,  but  not  to  doubtful  disputation." 
_jC.  ^lutual  acknowledgment  of  (!ac;h  other's  acts  of  di.sci- 
pline.     Hence  "  letters  of  commendation"  (2  Cor.  iii  :  1- 


20 


INTRODUCTION. 


4)  *\Yere  required  of  traveling  brethren,  and  even  the  so-called 
Apostolic  canons  pro\"ided  that  persons  under  discipline  in 
the  chm-ch  of  one  place  shall  not  be  admitted  to  privileges 
in  another. 

d.  Sacramental  and  ministerial  intercommunion  wa">  a 
highly  important  and  influential  feature.  " For  y\e  being 
many,  are  one  bread  and  one  body,  because  we  are  all  par- 
takers of  that  one  bread."  The  practice  of  sacramental 
communion  extended  indiscriminately  to  all  whom  they 
acknowledged  as  true  disciples  of  Chi-ist.  "  Forasmuch 
(said  Peter,  in  vindication  of  his  communion  with  men  un- 
cu'cumcised)  as  God  gave  them  the  hke  gift,  as  he  did  unto 
us,  who  believed  on  the  Lor  J  Jesus  Christ,  what  was  I,  that 
I  could  withstand  God?"  The  existence  of  ministerial  ac- 
knowledgment and  communion  is  incontestibly  estabhshed 
by  the  apostolic  canons  and  synodical  decrees,  enacted  to 
guard  against  their  abuse. 

_  e.  Convention  of  the  different  churches  of  the  lau  1  in 
synod  or  council,  for  the  puqDosc  of  mutual  consultation 
and  ecclesiastical  regulation.  Of  sujh  a  meeting  we  have 
an  example  in  Acts  xv.,  and  the  earliest  uninspired  accounts 
extant  of  .sraodical  meetings  in  the  second  century,  repre- 
sent them  as  subscrring  the  same  ends.f 

_JThus  was  the  great  body  of  the  ^prin^itive_c'hurch  umted 
in  one  fraternity  by  cords  of  love  and  mutual  recognition  ; 
whilst  those  and  those  only  were  denied  ecclesiastical  com- 
munion who  were  excommuniijated  for  immorality  or  de- 
nounced as  fundamentally  cornipt  in  the  faith. 

*  By  later  writers  termed  litenB  commuuicatoria;,  aud  yoa/iiiaTa 
KoivuviKa. 

f  For  the  historical  proofs  ol'  tlic  above  positions,  we  must  refer 
to  the  Fmtcru;il  Appeal,  er  Man  of  fliristiun  Union,  cd.  3.  New 
Yorl{,  pul'Iifhed  hy  'I'nylor. 


INTRODUCTION. 


21 


But  how  different  the  present  condition  of  the  Christian 
church  is,  must  be  known  to  every  intelhgent  Mead  of  the 
Redeemer,  and  has  been  the  subject  of  ahnost  imiversal 
lamentation.  Now  she  is  cut  up  into  sectarian  branches, 
into  divisions  based  ou  diversity  of  doctrinal  riews  or  fonns 
of  government,  and,  not  as  in  the  times  of  the  apostles,  on 
contigTiity  of  location.  Different  portions  of  the  chui-ch 
thus  occujiy  the  same  geogi-aphical  location,  and  in  the  ab- 
sence of  express  mutual  recognition  and  demonstration  of 
substantial  imity,  aUenation  of  affections  and  conflicting  in- 
terests of  various  kinds,  pecimiary,  literaiy,  theological  and 
sectarian  natui'ally  arise,  which  prove  -nedges  of  discord  to 
sever  the  body  of  Chi-ist.  And  what  enlightened  friend  of 
Zion  must  not  confess  that  it  is  the  divided,  the  fractional, 
the  isolated,  and  in  some  measiu'e  even  the  hostile  condi- 
tion of  Protestantism,  which  has  shorn  the  church  of  so 
much  of  her  strength  ?  Who  can  doubt  that  these  divis- 
ions tend  to  destroy  community  of  interest  and  sympathy 
of  feeling  among  the  members  of  the  Christian  family  ; 
that  they  cast  a  sectiuian  veil  over  the  mind  in  the  study  of 
the  sacred  volume  ;  that  they  prejudice  the  ungodly  world 
against  Christianity  itself  ;  that  they  split  up  and  fritter 
away  the  energies  of  the  Protestant  world,  paralyzing  her 
aggi'essive  powers,  and  wasting,  by  want  of  concert  and 
often  even  in  internal  contention,  those  resoui'ces  which 
oiight  to  have  been  expended  in  converting  the  heathen  and 
papal  world? 

The  weakness  of  Protestantism  undoubtedl}-  lies  in  its 
divided  and  disjointed  state  ;  or  rather  in  the  principle  on 
wliich  its  divisions  are  constructed.  The  faithful  membei-s 
of  these  departments  of  the  Protestant  church  are  indeed 
actuated  by  proper  motives,  so  far  as  the  cultivation  of 
then*  own  liearts  and  their  labors  for  the  conversion  of 
others  arc  concerned  ;  nor  can  tlie  professed  object  of  tlicso 


22 


INTRODUCTION. 


associations  themselves  be  repudiated,  namely  the  more 
successful  advancement  of  trath  aud  righteousness  ;  but  the 
very  principle  of  the  division  habitually  obtrudes  suiister  or 
at  least  secondary  objects,  so  as  virtually  to  postpone  the 
claims  of  fundamental  Chi'istianity  to  those  of  separate 
sects  ;  thus  proving  a  grievous  evil  in  Ziou,  preventing  the 
necessary  concentration  of  energies  physical,  intellectual 
and  moral,  greatly  impairing  the  moral  influence  of  the 
gospel,  and  impeding  the  formation  of  a  correct  Christian 
pubUc  sentiment  throughout  the  world. 

Happily  the  attention  of  the  chiu-ch  has  been  extensively 
an-ested  by  the  deficiencies  of  the  present  Protestant  organ- 
ization. To  say  nothing  of  the  eflforts  of  eminent  disciples 
of  Christ  in  the  last  two  centai'ies,  leading  minds  of  the 
present  day,  in  our  own  and  foreign  lands,  have  had  their 
attention  fixed  upon  it.  Not  a  few  have  spoken  through 
the  press,  and  there  seems  to  be  a  prevailing  impression 
that  the  time  is  at  hand  when  something  should  he  done 
in  earnest  to  heal  th°.  great  scliism,  to  resist  the  encroach- 
ments of  this  Antichrist  of  the  Protestant  churches.  In 
om*  o^-n  country  different  associations  have  existed  and 
several  imblic  meetings  have  of  late  been  held,  attended  by 
some  of  the  most  respectable  divines  of  our  country',  for  the 
promotion  of  Christian  Union  ;  and  the  spmt  of  Chi-istian 
union  was  increasingly  manifest  dming  the  anniversaries  of 
our  national  societies  at  New  York  last  spring.  In  Europe 
the  effort  has  been  headed  by  such  men  as  R-jv.  Dr.  Merle 
d'Aubigne  of  Geneva,  Rev.  IMonod  of  France,  Rev.  Kuutze 
of  Prussia,  Dr.  Harris  of  England,  Dr.  Chalmers  of  Scot- 
land. "  I  tnist "  (said  Dr.  Chalmers,  when  introducing  to 
the  Assembly  of  the  Free  Church  in  Scotland  his  friondd 
from  the  continent)  "  you  will  not  chai'ge  me  with  over- 
liberality,  if  I  say,  as  I  do  from  my  conscience,  that  among 
the  great  majority  of  Evangelical  Dis.senters  in  this  couu- 


INTRODUCTIOX. 


23 


try,  I  am  not  aware  of  any  toiiics  of  difference,  which  I  do 
not  regard  as  so  many  men  of  sti'aw,  and  I  shall  be  exceed- 
ingly glad  if  these  gentlemen  get  the  heai'ts  of  the  various 
denominations  to  meet  together,  and  consent  to  make  a 
bonfire  of  them."  Dui-ing  the  late  session  of  that  Assem- 
bly, "a  delightful  meeting  was  held  in  Edinburgh,  for  the  pro- 
motion of  Christian  Union,  at  which  the  practice  of  union 
was  most  happily  exemplified,  as  was  its  theory  forcibly 
estabhshed.  At  this  meeting  not  less  than  eight  different 
denominations  were  represented,  viz  :  the  Refonued  chiu'ch 
of  France  and  Geneva,  the  Episcopal,  the  Fre3  church,  the 
Sece  sion  church,  the  Wesleyan  Methodist,  the  BaptLst,  and 
the  Independent  chm'ches.  A  subsequent  still  larger  meet- 
ing was  held  a  few  weeks  since,  in  Liverpool,  in  which  per- 
sons of  nineteen  different  denominations  participated,  and 
glorious  progress  for  union  was  made. 

In  hke  manner,  at  the  recent  meeting  of  the  General 
Synod  of  the  Lutheran  chui'ch  in  the  United  States,  con- 
vened in  Philadelphia,  tlic  subject  of  Chi-istian  Union  was 
discussed  and  acted  on  wilh  great  interest  and  deliberato- 
ness.  Two  plans  were  proposed — one  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Stockton,  of  the  Protestant  Methodist  chui'ch,  and  one  by 
the  chaii'mau  of  the  General  Synod's  coumiittee.  "Whilst 
some  features  of  the  former  wei'e  regarded  with  much  fa- 
vor, the  latter  plan  was  adopted  in  full,  as  embodied  in  the 
following  resolutions : 

/fc-o/m/,  I.  That  a  committee  be  apiJointcd  by  tliis  body, 
to  be  styled  the  "  Ciminiltsc  0/  Oonferenco  on  Christian 
Union." 

IT.  It  shall  he  the  duty  of  this  committee  to  confer  witli 
similar  ccmimittecs  appouitcd  by  other  religious  denomina- 
tions, and  with  other  prominent  individuals  of  different  do- 
nomuiations,  on  the  great  subject  of  Cliristian  Union,  and 
to  report  to  the  next  General  Synod  such  measures  as  may 


24 


INTRODUCTION. 


be  agi'eed  vipon  iu  such  conference,  to  be  recommended  to 
the  different  rehgious  denominations. 

III.  The  design  to  be  aimed  at,  by  the  measures  thus  to 
be  recommended,  is  not  to  amalgamate  the  sevei'al  denom- 
inations into  one  church,  nor  to  impaii"  in  any  degree  the 
independent  control  of  each  denomination  over  its  owji 
affairs  and  interests,  but  to  present  to  the  world  a  more 
formal  profession  and  practical  proof  of  oui*  mutual  recog- 
nition of  each  other  as  integi-al  parts  of  the  visible  chui'ch 
of  Christ  on  eai-th,  as  well  as  of  cur  fundamental  unity  of 
faith  and  reachuess  to  co-operate  harmoniously  in  the  ad- 
vancement of  ol)jects  of  common  interest. 

IV.  That  this  committee  shall  consist  of  thi-ee  ministers 
and  two  laymen,  belonging  to  some  Sjmod  or  Synods,  con- 
nected with  the  General  S^Tiod,  and  that  they  rejjort  to  the 
next  General  Synod. 

This  committee,  having  consulted  with  the  other  sub- 
scribers, we  unitedly  submit  to  you  an  outline  of  that  plan 
of  imion  by  which  we  hope  the  evils  of  schism  can  bo  grad- 
ually obviated,  and  the  great  and  glorious  object  of  Clms- 
tian  Union  be  eventually  attained.  We  premise,  that  in  the 
prosecution  of  this  enterprise,  the  leadmgs  of  Providence 
should  be  observed  and  followed.  Such  steps  and  such 
only  ought  to  be  taken  as  the  chui'ch  or  judicatory  of  what, 
ever  rank  concerned,  is  prepared  to  adopt  with  considera- 
ble unanimity.  Attempts  which  terminate  in  new  divisions 
are  obviously  prematm-e  and  unwise.  And  we  may  pre- 
mise as  fundamental  principles,  that  the  plan  to  bo  adopted 
must  possess  the  foUowmg  attributes:  I.  It  must  require 
of  no  one  the  renunciation  of  any  doctrine  or  opinion  be- 
hevcd  in  by  him  to  be  true,  nor  the  profession  of  any  thing 
he  regards  as  eiToneous.  The  accession  of  any  one  denom- 
ination to  this  union,  docs  not  imply  any  sanction  of  the 
peculiarities  of  any  other.    2.  It  must  concede  to  each  de- 


INTRODUCTION. 


25 


nomination  the  riglit  to  retain  its  own  organization  for 
government,  discipline  and  worship,  or  to  alter  it  at  option. 
3.  It  must  dissuade  no  one  from  discussing  fundamentals 
and  non-fimdamentals,  if  done  in  the  spirit  of  Chi'istian 
love.  4.  The  plan  must  be  such  as  is  apphcable  to  all 
evangelical,  fundamenlalhj  orthodox  churches,  and  must  not 
aim  at  inducing  some  of  the  denominations  to  relinquish 
their  peculiar  views  ;  but  must  be  based  on  the  exLstmg 
common  gi-ound  of  doctrine,  and  erect  a  suijerstructui'e  of 
kindly  feeling,  and  harmonious  intercourse,  and  fraternal 
co-operation.  5.  Each  denomination  may  at  option  adopt 
any  part  or  all  the  proposed  featm-es  of  union. 

With  these  preliminary  specifications,  we  propose : 
I.  As  one  object  of  this  union  is  to  bear  witness  to  the 
truth,  and  as  well  to  impress  upon  oxu'selves  as  to  exhibit 
to  the  world  the  fundamental  docti'inal  unity  of  the  Evan- 
gelical Pi'otestant  chm'ches,  therefore  any  dcnoniination 
wishing  to  accede  to  this  union  can  do  so  hy  a  resolution  of  its 
higlii'st  judicatory,  embodying  its  assent  to  the  common  ground 
Christian  doctrine,  as  exhibited,  for  the  2)resent,  in  the  a]> 
pended  selection  from  the  articles  of  the  principal  Protestant 
Confession'!.  The  most  respectable  writers  on  Christian 
Union,  and  ecclesiastical  boches  also,  so  far  as  they  have  ex- 
pressed themselves,  have,  with  few  exceptions,  agreed  that 
the  vital  principle  of  Protestantism  lies  not  in  the  peculiar- 
ities of  any  sect,  but  in  the  points  adopted  by  them  all ; 
and  that  the  requisition  of  docti'inal  agreement  shall  bo 
confined  to  this  common  gi'ound  of  Protestant  doctrine,  to 
ttie  doctrines  and  usiiects  of  doctrine  in  which  they  are 
known  to  agree.  This  may  bo  adopted  as  the  expressed 
sentiment  of  the  principal  friends  of  union.  A  preliminary 
attempt  has  therefore  been  made  to  express  this  coininon 
gi'oiuid  of  doctrine,  in  the  very  language  of  the  dillerent 
I'rotestant  confos.sions.  Tliis  expos/'  of  doctrine,  lot  it  be 
2 


26 


INTRODUCTION. 


remembered,  is  not  an  original  or  new  creed,  but  a  selec- 
tion of  aiiicles  or  pai'ts  of  articles  from  the  piincipal  exist- 
ing Protestant  creeds,  every  part  of  wLicli  has  already  been 
sanctioned  by  one  or  other  of  the  respective  denominations. 
Not  a  single  original  sentence  is  contained  in  it.  If  any 
acknowledged,  orthodox  denomination  should  still  find  in 
it  a  sentiment  to  which  it  objects,  the  clause  expressing  it 
may  be  excepted  in  the  vote  of  adoption,  and  it  will  there- 
after be  omitted  by  all ;  for  the  design  of  this  expoie  is, 
that  it  shall  contain  only  the  doctrines  received  by  all  the 
so-called  evangelical  orthodox  churches.  It  has,  however, 
already  been  examined  and  apjiroved  by  some  of  the  most  dis- 
tinguished divines  of  our  country,  belonging  to  nine  difiterent 
denominations,  and  therefore  probably  contains  no  senti- 
ment inconsistent  with  the  received  doctiines  of  any  so-called 
orthodox  Protestant  church.  This  expose,  which  as  it  con- 
tains the  so-called  Apostles'  creed  and  a  fundamental  di- 
gest of  the  principal  Protestant  creeds,  may  be  styled  the 
^nited  ApostoHcalPi-otesiant  Confession,  is  here  presented 
only  m  a  preliminary  way,  as  one  of  the  means  to  bring 
about  a  general  convention  of  delegates  from  the  different 
Protestant  denominations  of  our  land,  and  perhaps  of  other 
lands  ;  and  at  such  meeting  it  can  be  amended  or  an  en- 
tirely original  one  be  adopted  in  its  place.  Yet,  as  it  really 
is  the  joint  production  and  the  joint  property  of  the  differ- 
ent denominations,  it  will  not  only  bear  on  its  face  the  evi- 
dence of  union,  but  also  be  more  welcome  and  be  more 
cordially  received ;  for,  each  wiU  feel  that  it  has  contrib- 
uted something  to  this  common  symbolic  stock.  It  would, 
moreover,  be  pleasant,  as  the  several  creeds  promoted  sep- 
aration, to  tui  n  them  now  into  an  instrument  of  union.  A 
creed  on  this  principle  of  eclecticism  can  certainly  be 
formed  satisfactory  to  all  ;  but  it  will  be  far  more  difficult 
to  frame  an  original  one  equally  acoejitable.    Such  au 


INTRODUCTION. 


27 


eclectic  creed  will  moreover  form  a  hisiorico-symholic  union 
and  connection  between  the  Church  in  the  apostohc  age, 
in  the  age  of  the  Reformation,  and  in  om*  own  day — a  fact 
of  no  small  importance  in  historical  Christianity. 

Each  denomination  will,  however,  retain  its  present 
creed  and  other  directories  for  the  reception  and  discipline 
of  ministers  and  members,  and  may  alter  or  amend  them 
at  option  as  heretofore. 

As  the  featm-es  of  this  plan  do  not  necessaiily  interfere 
with  other  denominational  standards  of  government  and 
discipline,  inferior  judicatories  of  every  grade,  and  even 
individual  congi-egations,  can  discuss  its  claims  and  exist- 
ing engagements.  Thus  any  conference,  presbytery,  classis, 
synod  and  convention,  can  adopt  the  plan  by  voting  their 
assent  to  the  proposed  United  ^Vpostolic  Protestant  Con- 
fession, and  resolving  to  practice  such  of  the  additional 
featm-es  as  they  may  judge  suitable  to  their  case,  and  to 
bring  the  subject  before  then  higher  judicatories.  Inferior 
judicatories  might  also  appoint  a  delegate  to  a  contiguous 
co-ordinate  judicatory  of  one  or  more  sister  chiu'ches.  In- 
dividual congregations  might,  in  addition  to  assenting 
to  the  expose  of  Protestant  doctrine,  resolve  to  unite 
with  sister  churches  in  voluntary  associations  for  the 
advaticement  of  the  Bible,  Tract,  and  Sabbath-School  cause. 
An  annual  or  semi  annual  Union  meeting  of  the  dififerent 
congregational  sabbath-schools  of  a  town  or  village  or  ward 
of  a  city,  to  hear  a  sermon  on  some  aspcot  of  the  cause, 
and  for  otlier  exercises,  Avould  doubtless  cultivate  tlie  spirit 
of  brotherly  love,  especially  among  the  rising  goneralioii. 
In  short,  although  the  plan  contemplates  ultimately  the 
imity  of  spirit  and  fi-atcrnal  co-operation  of  entire  congrega- 
tions, the  cflfort  nuist  begin  in  every  church  with  individ- 
uals, and  often  find  its  way  up  through  tlie  inferior  judica- 
tories to  those  of  the  higher  and  the  highest  order. 


28 


INTRODUCTION. 


n.  Let  the  supreme  judicatories  of  the  several  orthodox 
churches  resolve  to  open  and  sustain  a  regular  ecclesiasti- 
cal iutercom'se  by  sending  a  delegate  to  the  stated  meetings 
of  the  highest  judicatory  of  each  such  denomination  ;  who 
ought  to  be  received  as  advisory  members  but  have  no 
vote.  This  practice,  which  ah'eady  exists  between  some 
Protestant  denominations,  has  been  attended  by  the  hap- 
piest effects,  and  ought  to  bo  extended  as  far  as  convenient 
to  aU. 

ni.  Co-operation  of  the  different  associated  churches  in 
voluntary  associations,  local  and  general,  should  be  encour- 
aged, as  far  as  the  sentiment  of  the  respective  denomina- 
tions is  prepared  for  it,  under  constitutions  avowing  the 
United  Apostohc  Protestant  Confession,  and  secui'ing  equal 
rights  to  all  its  members.  This  principle  is  especially 
applicable  to  Bible,  Tract,  Sabbath-School,  and  Foreign 
Missionary  Societies,  and  has  akeady  been  introduced  in  a 
large  portion  of  the  Protestant  denominations. 

IV.  The  Bible  should  as  much  as  possible  be  made  the 
text-book,  in  all  theological,  congregational  and  sabbath- 
school  instruction. 

V.  One  general  Anniversary  Celebi'ation  should  be  held 
at  some  central  place,  under  the  management  of  a  commit- 
tee of  arrangements,  one  member  of  which  is  to  be  selected 
from  each  confederated  denomination,  and  after  its  formal 
accession  to  the  union,  to  bo  a^jpoiuted  by  its  supremo 
judicatory.  State  and  smaller  union  celebrations  might 
also  be  held,  and  occasionally,  though  not  statedly,  a 
universal  or  oecumenical  Protestant  convention,  hkc  that 
proposed  in  London  in  1840. 

VI.  Free  sacramental  union  ought  to  bo  occasionally 
practised  by  all  whose  views  of  duty  allow  it. 

VII.  The  formal  adoption  of  these  features,  or  of  any 
part  of  them,  if  the  first  be  included,  shall  constitute  the 


INTRODUCTION. 


29 


adopting  body  an  integral  part  of  the  Apostolic  Protestant 
Union.  Should  any  denomination  wish  to,  reserve  any  one 
of  the  features,  except  the  fii'st,  for  futm-e  consideration, 
such  reservation  shall  not  invalidate  its  accession  to  the 
residue. 

But  in  the  name  of  the  bleeding  church,  let  us  go  for- 
ward in  this  glorious  work.  The  first  and  greatest  advocate 
of  Christian  Union,  the  Saviour  himself,  will  go  before  us, 
and  light  will  shine  on  our  path  as  we  advance.  We  shall 
see  fi"om  step  to  step,  what  his  providence  directs.  Nor 
can  we  doubt,  that  whether  our  object  is  accomplished  in 
our  way  or  not,  the  effort  will  redound  to  the  glory  of  God. 
If  it  be  found  that  we  are  not  yet  prepared  to  walk  to- 
gether, even  in  the  things  in  which  we  are  agreed,  the 
Master  may  tkrow  us  into  the  furnace  of  aiiliction,  to  melt 
away  our  asperities.  But  amid  all  circumstances  of  en- 
couragement or  depression,  let  our  motto  be  "  Look  upioard 
and  prrRs  omcarcl,"  in  reliance  on  the  blessing  of  Him  who 
said,  "  Lo  I  am  with  you  alwaj',  even  unto  the  end  of  the 
world."  * 


*  N.  B. — The  present  plan  is  presented  for  the  preliminary  con- 
sideration of  the  churches,  and  it  is  proposed  to  hold  a  meeting 
during  the  Anniversaries  in  May  nest,  in  New  York,  preparatory  to 
final  action,  at  which  all  those  favorable  to  the  general  object  are 
invited  to  attend.  Further  notice  will  be  given.  The  major  part 
of  the  subscribers  expect  to  be  present. 

S.  S.  Schmuckcr,  D.D.,  Prof,  of  Tliool.,  Thcol.  Sein.,  Gettysburg,  Pa. 

C.  P.  Krauth,  D.D.,  Pres.  Pcnn.  ColU'gc,  Gettysburg,  Pa. 

G.  B.  Miller,  D.D.,  Prof.  Thc-ol.,  Tlieol.  Soni.  Ilartwick,  New  York. 

Hon.  Win.  C.  Bouck,  FuUonliani,  New  York. 

C.  A.  Morri.-t,  Esq.,  York,  Penii. 

Com.  on.  UhrUlian  Un  'on,  ctfllin  Oi:».  S;/no!l'tf  Liilh.  Oh.  in  Untied  titates. 
I\CV.  J.  Ilawcs,  D.D.,  Pa.st.  Congrcg.  Cliurch,  Hartford,  Conn. 

"    L.  BiR-oii,  D.I).,  Pa.-;t.  Congrcg.  Cliurcli,  New  Haven,  Conn. 

"   Win.  Hill,  D.D.,  Past.  Presb.  Church,  Winclicstcr,  Pa. 


30 


INTRODUCTION. 


lu  the  meantime  the  winds  of  heaven  had  borne  the 
seed  of  these  truths  across  the  Atlantic,  and  a  gxacious 
Providence  had  honored  this  Httle  woi'k  by  making  it  an 
instrument  in  inviting  attention  of  British  Ckristians  to 
the  feasibilty  and  importance  of  undertaking  something 
for  the  unity  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  there,  by  the 
formation  of  the  Evangelical  AUiavce. 

In  order  to  commend  this  volume  to  the  serious 
attention  of  the  enhghtened  friends  of  Ziou  more  exten- 
sively in  this  country,  the  following  statement  of  its  happy 
influence  in  Great  Britain  is  presented  to  the  reader.  At 
the  formation  of  the  Evangehcal  Alliance  in  London  in 
1846,  a  pamphlet  was  distributed  among  the  members,  en- 
titled Hidorical  Sketch  of  the  Emngelical  Alliance."  It 
had  been  prepared  by  the  Eev.  Dr.  King  of  Glasgow,  at 
the  request  of  the  Provisional  Committee  of  a  prehminary 
meeting,  and  details  the  origin  and  preliminary  steps  for 
the  formation  of  the  great  Evangehcal  Alliance  at  London, 
which  embraced  about  a  thousand  of  the  most  distin- 
guished Christians  of  all  the  principal  donominations  in- 

Rev.  L.  Mayor,  D.D.,  late  Prof,  of  Thcol.  in  Tiieol.  Seminary,  Mcrcori- 
burg,  Pa. 

"   G.  Spring,  D.D.,  Puctor  of  Prosb.  Cliurch,  New  York. 

"    G.  W.  BfUiunc,  D.D.,  Pastor  Reformed  Dutch  Churcli,  Phila. 

"   R.  Emory,  President  Dickinson  College,  Carlisle,  Pcnn. 

"   J.  P.  Durbin,  D  D  ,  Pastor  of  Methodist  Episcopal  Church  and 

late  Professor  Dickinson  College. 
"   C.  A.  Goodrich,  D.D.,  Prof,  in  Tlicol.  Seminary,  New  Ilavcn, 

Conn. 

"   R  Baird,  D.D.,  Secretary  American  Evangelical  Society,  N.  Y. 
"   E.  L  Hazclius,  D.D.,  Prof.  Tlieol.  Seminary,  Lexington,  S.  U. 
"   B.  P.  Aydclott,  D.D.,  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  Presi- 
dent of  Woodward  College,  Cincinnati. 
"    G.  B.  Checver,  D.D.,  Editor  of  New  York  Evangelist. 
"    P.  Church,  D.D  ,  Pastor  Baptist  Church,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 
"   T.  II  Cox,  D.D  ,  Pastor  Presbyterian  Church,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
"    D.  McConaugliy,  Prest.  Washington  College,  Washington,  Pcun. 


INTRODUCTION. 


31 


the  Protestant  world.  It  has  since  held  meetings  in  Ger- 
many, Holland,  France,  etc.,  and  has  confessedly  exerted  a 
powerful  influence  in  favor  of  rehgious  liberty,  of  trae 
piety,  and  of  Christian  union. 

The  pamphlet  had  been  piinted  in  advance  of  the  meet- 
ing, and  was  distributed  among  its  members  in  Exeter 
Hall.  After  having  mentioned  the  frequent  injunctions  of 
God's  Word  to  imion  among  the  followers  of  the  Saviour, 
and  the  progi-ess  of  infidelity  and  popery,  as  calling  for 
greater  activity  among  Chistians,  that  history  proceeds  as 
follows  : 

"  On  the  other  hand  the  leadings  of  Pro"vidence  pre- 
sented uncommon  facihties  for  Christian  imion.  The  as- 
perities of  party  which,  in  fonner  ages,  had  obscured  and 
almost  concealed  the  catholicity  of  the  chui'ch,  had  become 
softened  and  diminished.  The  principle  of  toleration,  which 
had  once  no  open  fi-ieud,  had  no  more  a  declared  foe  ;  and 
this  single  change  strongly  indicated  a  great  revolution  of 
sentiment.  Religious  and  benevolent  societies,  embracing 
Christians  of  different  denominations,  maintained  their 

Rev.  F.  Pond,  D.D.,  Prof,  of  Theology,  Theol.  Seminary,  Bangor. 
"   Win.  Patton,  D.D  ,  Pastor  Prc.ibytcrian  Churcli,  New  York. 
"   B.  Kurtz,  D.D.,  Editor  Lutlicrau  Observer,  Baitimore. 
"  '  A.  Converse,  Editor  of  Cliristian  Observer,  PLiladelpliia. 
"   J.  Purlier,  D  D.,  Pastor  of  Presbyterian  Cliureli,  Pliiladelpliia. 
"   J.  O.  Morri.s,  D.D.,  Pastor  of  Lutheran  Cliurcli,  Baltimore. 
"   J.  E.  Welsh,  of  Baptist  Church,  Burlington,  New  Jersey. 
"   H.  P.  Tappan,  D.D.,  Professor  University  of  New  York. 
"  J.  F.  Berg,  D.D.,  (iennan  Reformed  Chureli,  Editor  Prote.stant 

Quarterly  Review,  Pliiladelpliia. 
"    F.  Waters,  D.D.,  Protestant  Methodist  Chureh,  Baltimore. 

Alex.  Henry,  Esfjr.,  Presbyterian  Cliureli,  Philadelphia. 
"   E.  Heiner,  Pastor  German  Reformed  Church,  Baltimore. 
"    (i.  W.  Musgrave,  D.U.,  Pastor  Presbyterian  Church,  Baltimore. 
"    B.  C.  Wolf,  D  D.,  Pastor  (Icrnian  Reformed  Church,  Baltimore. 
"    B.  M.  Smith,  Pastor  Presbyterian  Cliureli,  Staunton,  Va. 
"   R.  W.  Bailey,  Pre.ibyterl'.in  CImreh,  Staunton,  Va. 


32 


INTRODUCTION. 


ground  and  increased  in  strength,  showiug  the  stability  of 
the  foimdation  on  which  they  were  reared.  Interesting 
moTements  had  taken  place  expressly  for  the  promotion  of 
brotherhood,  and  the  diffusion  of  its  blessings.  To  notice 
a  few  examples,  and  to  begin  vdih  the  remoled — much 
praise  is  due  to  Dr.  Schmucker  of  America,  for  his  zealous 
endeavore  to  associate  Christians  of  different  denominations 
across  the  Atlantic,  and  to  concentrate  theii"  efforts  on 
objects  of  common  interest.  Whatever  may  be  thought  of 
his  scheme  of  union,  all  Christians  must  admii-e  the  spirit 
by  which  it  was  dictated,  and  rejoice  in  the  ^jraci/ca/  good 
of  ivhidi  the  2'n'Oposal  and  discussion  of  if,  liavc  hccn  con- 
fessedly productive." 

It  was  just  after  American  Christians  had  issued  an  iu- 
vitation  in  the  fall  of  1845,  and  were  enlisting  an  interest 
for  a  meeting  in  New  York,  in  May  1 84(5,  that  the  invita- 
tion came  over  the  mighty  deep,  fi'om  oui'  British  brethi-en 
for  a  Convention  to  be  held  in  London,  duiing  August  of 
the  same  year.  It  was  this  invitation  to  the  World's  Evan- 
gelical Alliance  in  England,  that  led  to  the  postponement  of 
the  Convention,  which  had  been  appointed  for  the  May 
Anniversaries  in  New  York,  and  for  which  the  previous 

Rev.  C.  G.  Weyl,  Editor  Lutlicran  Ilirtcnstimme,  Baltimore. 

"   W.  R.  Do  Witt,  D.D.,  Pastor  Presb.  Church,  Ilarrisburs,  Venn. 
"   W.  Hamilton,  Methodist  Episcopal  Cluu-ch,  Baltimore. 
"    J.  C.  Watson,  Pastor  of  Presbyterian  Church,  Gettjsbur^,  Penu. 
"   J.  Collins,  Pastor  of  Methodist  Episcopal  Church,  Baltimore. 

P.  S. — An  official  communication  has  just  been  received,  addressed 
to  the  subscriber,  as  chairman  of  the  Lutheran  General  Synod's 
Committee  on  Union,  from  the  following  jyentlcmcn,  as  Commit- 
tee of  the  Cumberland  Presbyterian  General  Assembly  for  Christian 
Union.  S.  S.  Schmucker. 

Rev.  M.  Bird,  Cumberland  Presbj'terian  Church,  Uniontown,  Pa. 

"   A.  M.  Bryan,  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Cliurch,  Pilt.4)urj;-,  Pa. 
Alex.  Miller,  Esq.,  Cumberland  Presbyterian  Church,  Pittsburg,  Pa. 


INTRODUCTION. 


33 


Cii'cular  invitation  bearing  ydth  it  the  names  of  about  fifty 
of  the  most  influential  Christian  ministers  of  various  de- 
nominations had  been  issued.  This  course  was  deemed 
proper  because  many  of  the  most  active  friends  of  our 
enterprize  would  be  absent,  maldng  the  tour  of  Eui'ope  in 
advance  of  the  London  Convention  ;  and  Kkewise  because 
it  was  thought  courteous  for  us  to  await  the  action  of  the 
larger  meeting,  which  Christians  from  all  the  nations  of 
Europe  were  expected  to  attend.  With  these  it  might  be 
more  profitable  for  the  common  cause,  that  American 
Chi'istians  shoidd  first  unite  in  counsel,  and  thereafter  co-op- 
erate in  action  as  parts  of  a  gi-eat  whole  iu  oui*  proper  sphere. 

On  their  return  from  London,  the  American  delegation 
held  a  meeting  in  Xew  York,  and  an  efibrt  was  made  to 
organize  a  Brandt  Alliance  for  tliis  country  ;  but  here, 
after  having  had  a  long  discussion,  the  meeting  differed  on 
the  question  so  wannly  debated  in  England,  but  which  God 
has  now  hapjjily  for  ever  removed  fi-om  the  arena  of  dis- 
pute, namely,  ^Vllether  slaveholders  shall  be  admitted  to 
membership  in  our  benevolent  institutions.  Under  these 
circumstances  the  formation  of  an  American  Branch 
AUiance  was  at  that  time  iudcfinitely  postponed. 

From  this  time  onward,  it  seemed  as  if  the  dove  of  peace 
had  iakcn  her  flight  fi-om  our  country  ;  as  if  God  had 
given  over  our  land,  both  North  and  Soutli,  to  strife 
and  contention  on  this  imblessed  subject,  and  permitted 
men  to  run  to  extremes  ;  until  by  the  thorough  discussion 
of  the  subject  for  years,  the  entire  nation  was  compelled 
to  see  the  moral,  the  social,  the  political  and  physical  evils 
entailed  by  slaveiy  upon  our  land.  Tlius  the  great  body 
of  Christians,  patriots  ajid  philanthropists  throughout  our 
nation,  was  prepared  not  only  to  acquiesce  in  the  wonder- 
ful solution  of  the  problem  of  Emancipation,  to  whioii 
Congressional  legislation,  and  indeed  all  mere  human 

2'^ 


34 


INTRODUCTION. 


agency  had  proved  utterly  inadequate  ;  but  also  to  glorify 
Him  that  rules  among  the  armies  of  heaven  and  the  in- 
habitants of  earth,  for  the  manifold  blessings  he  has  thus 
bestowed  upon  our  favored  land. 

This  deliverance  of  four  mLlhons  of  our  fellow  beings 
from  bondage  having  been  accompHshed,  peace  has  again 
been  restored  to  our  borders,  the  spu'it  of  Christian  love 
has  resumed  its  reign,  and  the  desire  of  unity  between  the 
disciples  of  the  Lord  is  beginning  to  develop  itself  in 
manifestations  of  returning  union  between  several  frag- 
ments of  the  same  church  and  different  denominations  of 
the  enthe  Protestant  family. 

So  advanced  and  far  reaching  had  this  feeling  become  in 
our  own  country,  that  by  the  year  1 8GG,  the  chui'ches  were 
extensively  prepared  to  resume  the  active  connection  with 
the  Evangehcal  Alhance  of  Europe,  by  the  Fobmation  of 

The  Ameeicvn  Branch  Alliancs. 

Accordingly,  such  a  branch  was  fonnally  organized  at 
New  York,  after  several  preliminary  meetings,  the  particu- 
lars of  whose  formation  we  jilace  on  record  for  future 
reference,  as  given  in  the  printed  JVIiuutes  then  pubhshed 
by  the  Association. 

"At  a  meeting  held  on  the  31st  of  January,  chiefly  to 
appoint  a  committee  to  prepare  a  r(;i)()rt  on  the  State  of 
Keligion  m  the  United  States,  it  was  jiroposod  that  an 
endeavor  be  made  to  form  an  American  branch  of  the 
Evangelical  Alhance.  A  committee  was  selected  to  Issue  a 
cu'cular  and  ascertain  as  far  as  possible  the  opinion  of  the 
evangelical  churches  on  this  matter.  Many  favorable 
replies  having  been  received,  a  meetmg  was  called  for  May 
11th,  18G7,  at  the  Iccturc  rooni  of  the  Mathson  Squai'e 
Presbyterian  Church.  A  considerable  number  of  influential 
clergymen  of  all  denominations  attended.     Rov.  Mark 


INTRODUCTION. 


35 


Hopkins,  D.  D.,  was  called  to  the  cliaii',  and  offered  the 
opening  prayer.  Rev.  George  W.  Wood,  D.  D.,  reiJorted 
that  he  had  sent  cut  four  hundred  ciixulars,  and  had  re- 
ceived a  large  number  of  rephes,  chiefly  favorable,  but  few 
dechniug  to  unite  in  the  proposed  movement.  He  read 
letters  fi-om  Eev.  Dr.  J.  iilcClintock,  Rev.  Dr.  Howard  Os- 
good, Rev.  Ai-chibald  M.  ]\Iorrison,  Gambier,  Ohio,  Rev.  Drs. 
Skinner,  Plummer,  Jacobus  and  Bishop  Smith,  of  Kentucky. 

"  It  was  moved  by  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  Patton,  That  we  judge 
it  expedient  to  form  an  American  branch  of  the  Evangeli- 
cal Alhance  on  the  doctrinal  basis  adopted  by  that  body  in 
184G. 

"Dr.  Patton  supported  the  motion  in  a  short  speech. 
Rev.  H.  B.  Smith,  D.  D.,  presented  the  need  of  such  an 
organization  in  this  cotmtry,  and  the  benefits  that  might 
be  expected  to  flow  fi-om  it.  Rev.  Drs.  Anderson,  Wood, 
Eddie,  jNIarsh,  and  others,  advocated  the  formation  of  an 
Alhance,  and  the  motion  was  unanimously  adopted. 

'■  It  was  '  Ramlccd,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  form 
a  plan  of  organization,  and  to  nominate  permanent  officers, 
and  that  the  following  be  the  members  of  that  committee 
(denominations  and  names  being  in  alphabetical  order) : ' 

"  Baptid  :  Rov.  Drs.  II.  S.  W.  Buckland,  Howard  Osgood, 
and  WiUiam  R.  Williamson. 

"  Cuiigregalional :  Rev.  Drs.  W.  J.  Budington,  D.  B.  Coe, 
and  Wm.  Patton, 

"Episcopal:  Rev.  Dn.  Heman  Dyer,  Wm.  A.  IMuhlen- 
bm'g,  and  A.  H.  Vinton. 

"  Itifonmd  Dulrh :  Rev.  Drs.  Thomas  Do  Witt,  E.  S. 
Porter,  and  E.  P.  Rogers. 

"  Gei-mm  R'foniml:  liev.  Drs.  E.  V.  Gerhardt,  H.  Har- 
baugh,  and  Phihp  SchafT. 

"  Luthn-an  :  Rev.  Drs.  Charles  Kiauth,  S.  S.  Schrauckcr, 
and  .'Vug.  Wedckind. 


36 


INTRODUCTION. 


"  Methodist :  Eev.  Drs.  George  E.  Crooks,  Daniel  Currie, 
and  J.  McClintock. 

"Presbyterian  {0.  S.) :  Eev.  Drs.  John  M.  I\Tebs,  Pas- 
ton,  and  J.  M.  Sterenson. 

"  Presbyterian  (N.  S.) :  Eev.  Drs.  William  Adams,  Howard 
Crosby,  and  G.  W.  Wood. 

Resolved,  That  this  committe  be  requested  to  meet  on 
the  first  Thursday  in  June,  1866,  at  3  o'clock  P.  M.,  in  this 
place,  to  organize  and  proceed  to  the  business  proposed.' 

"  '  Resolved,  That  Eev.  Dr.  H.  B.  Smith,  and  others  who 
have  taken  part  in  the  prehminary  meetings  be  requested 
to  be  present  at  this  meeting  of  the  committee.' 

"  It  was  stated  that  Dr.  Smith  would  be  in  Europe  at 
the  time  of  the  sessions  of  the  Alliance,  and  it  was  there- 
upon 

"  '  Resolved,  That  Ect.  Dr.  H.  B,  Smith  be  requested  to 
present  in  person  to  the  Alliance,  at  its  meeting  in  HoUand, 
the  Eeport  on  the  Condition  of  EeUgion  in  the  United 
States,  prepared  by  the  committee  of  which  he  is  the  chair- 
man.' 

"  The  meeting  adjourned  to  meet  at  the  call  of  the 
Committee  on  Organization  ;  the  call  to  be  issued  to  all 
evangehcal  Chiistians. 

"J.  M.  Ferris,  Secretary." 
The  transactions  of  the  first  year  of  the  American 
Branch  of  the  Evangehcal  Alliance,  can  be  i^rcsented  in  a 
few  words. 

Since  its  complete  organization  it  has  been  in  corres- 
pondence with  the  British  organization,  and  was  repre- 
sented in  the  General  Conference  of  the  Alliance,  in  Am- 
sterdam, Holland,  in  August,  1807. 

After  due  consultation,  the  Executive  Committee  of  the 
American  Alliance,  sent  an  invitation  to  the  Conference  at 
Amsterdam,  to  bold  the  next  General  Conference,  or 


IXTRODUCTIOX. 


37 


World's  Evangelical  Alliance  in  the  city  of  New  York. 
This  ■«"as  responded  to  most  favorably  at  a  meeting  of  the 
delegates  fi'om  the  several  National  Branches  at  Amster- 
dam, and  also  afteiT\-ards  at  a  meeting  in  England. 

The  design  was  fii'st  to  hold  the  meeting  in  September, 
1SG9,  and  invitations  were  issued  to  the  several  National 
Branches  in  foreign  lands,  and  to  all  Evangehcal  Chi'istiaus 
thi-oughout  the  world.  With  a  view  to  ascertain  and  matux-e 
the  feeluigs  of  the  Chiistian  conmiunity  on  the  subject  in  this 
comiti-y,  a  large  number  of  the  fiiends  of  the  cause  were 
called  together  in  December  last,  at  the  house  of  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  American  Branch,  the  Hon.  William  E.  Dodge, 
which  resulted  in  the  general  conviction  of  the  desirable- 
ness and  feasibility  of  the  proposed  general  meeting.  The 
necessary  extensive  pre2)aratious  were  accordingly  com- 
menced to  accommodate  this  Convention  and  render  it  in 
the  highest  degi'ce  useful  and  agreeable. 

But  in  the  meantime  information  was  received  from  the 
British  organization,  fi'om  Germany  and  elsewhere,  lu-ging 
the  postponement  of  the  meeting  at  New  York  at  least  one 
year.  It  has  therefore,  after  mature  reflection,  been  re- 
solved bv  the  Executive  Committee  to  defer  the  meetiner 
until  September  of  the  present  year,  1870. 

"  The  Alliance  was  organized  in  London  in  1846,  and  it 
now  has  branches  in  England,  Scotland  and  L-eland, 
France,  Germany,  Holland,  Switzerland,  Sweden,  Turkey, 
Persia,  the  East  and  West  Indies,  Palestine,  Australia, 
New  Zealand,  in  Afiica,  and  the  United  States  of  America. 
Its  objects  are  : 

"To  promote  luiion  of  effort  among  Christians  of  dif- 
ferent nations  and  names  for  the  advancement  of  the 
Redeemer's  kingdom  ;  to  tliis  end  it  constitutes  an  organi- 
zed body,  witli  mcinijcrs  in  all  parts  of  the  world  tlu-ough 
whom  conesi)oudcncc  and  cooperation  may  be  canned  on. 


38 


INTRODUCTION. 


Conferences  are  held  from  time  to  tunc  in  great  religious 
and  commercial  centres  ;  revivals  of  religion  ai'e  promoted  f 
meetings  for  concerted  prayer  are  held  throughout  the 
Avorld ;  the  rights  of  conscience  and  freedom  of  religious 
worship  in  all  countries  are  defended  ;  Christians  exposed 
to  trials  and  difficulties  are  encouraged  by  expressions  of 
sympathy  and  the  alms  of  then-  brethren  ;  delegations  and 
memorials  are  sent  to  secui-e  deliverance  for  those  who  ai'e 
bound  or  persecuted  for  righteousness'  sake  in  Roman 
Cathohc,  Mohammedan,  Pagan,  and  Protestant  countries  ;  a 
bulwark  of  resistance  is  reared  agaiust  the  aggi'essive 
efforts  of  Romanism  and  infidehty  ;  measui'es  are  promo- 
ted for  the  improvement  of  society,  the  progress  of  reUgious 
instruction,  the  suppression  of  vice,  the  rehef  of  suffering 
humanity,  the  sanctification  of  the  sabbath,  and  the  salva- 
tion of  men. 

"  In  many  countries  the  influence  of  the  Alliance  has 
been  jjowerful  for  the  achievement  of  these  great  objects. 
It  has  brought  the  mighty  moral  influence  of  united  Evan- 
gchcal  Christendom  to  bear  upon  the  lights  of  conscience 
and  the  gi-eat  question  of  reUgious  liberty  in  Spain,  Italy 
Austria,  Sweden  and  Turkey.  It  has  proved  a  bond  of 
union  and  a  strong  tower  of  Protestants  in  Earo^De,  whose, 
minds  and  hearts  have  been  strengthened  by  the  grand 
conferences  held  in  London,  Paris,  Berlin,  Geneva,  and 
Amsterdam,  which  have  rallied  aroiuid  the  standard  of  the 
reformation  the  noblest  philosophers,  scholars,  and  teachers 
of  the  age,  and  have  presented  to  the  world  the  ablest 
defences  of  truth.  It  has  associated  in  fraternal  Cluistiau 
sympathy,  love,  and  labor  for  Christ  and  Christ's  cause 
and  people,  his  friends  in  so  many  and  so  widely  distant 
countries,  of  all  branches  of  the  Holy  CathoUc  Chm-ch, 
that  it  is  a  hvuig,  real  and  glorious  declaration  of  the 
imity  of  the  chmr.h  ;  and  as  it  spreads  its  extending  arras 


INTRODUCTIOX. 


39 


among  the  nations,  bringing  all  them  who  love  our  Lord 
Jesus,  into  fellowship  of  feeling,  suffering  and  doing,  it  is 
itself  the  offering  and  the  answer  of  our  Lord's  prayer : 
*  That  they  all  may  bo  one,  as  Thou,  Father,  art  in  me,  and 
I  in  thee,  that  they  also  may  be  one  in  us  :  that  the  world 
may  beHevc  that  Thou  hast  sent  me.'  '"* 


THE  STATE  OF  THE  CHRISTL^  WORLD, 

On  the  subject  of  Chridian  Union,  is  in  a  high  degree 
favorable  at  this  time.  The  leading  intellects  of  the  Pro- 
testant nations  are  attentive  to  the  progress  of  events,  in 
their  bearing  on  this  subject,  and  arc  anticipating  the  oc- 
cun-ence  of  some  great  developments  in  the  ecclesiastical 
world.  They  are  also  favorably  disposed  towards  all  weU 
directed  efforts  for  the  mterests  of  true  Christianity.  Even 
some  of  the  crowned  heads  of  Europe,  have  taken  active 
part  in  advancing  the  cause  :  whilst  some  of  them  would 
probably  with  jileasure,  resign  the  government  of  the 
church  as  a  heavy  bui'den,  so  soon  as  they  see  that  circum- 
stances would  promise  a  peaceable  and  successful  transition 
to  a  scpai'ation  of  Church  and  Jitate,  such  as  exists  i;i  our 
own  happy  country.  This  state  of  facts  was  most  clearly 
demonstrated  by  the  late  torn*  of  that  learned,  active  and 
successful  Christian  messenger,  the  Rev.  Dr.  P.  Schaff, 
who  was  commissioned  by  the  Executive  Committee  of  our 
American  Branch  of  the  Alliance,  to  visit  the  i^romuient 
cities  and  personages  of  Europe  in  the  interest  of  the  ^Uli- 
ance,  and  to  prepare  the  way  for  the  contemplated  meeting 
in  September  next  in  New  York.    That  tour  was  one  con- 


*  Soc  Firet  Annuel  Roport  of  the  V.v.  All.  for  tho  F.  R ,  p.  fi. 


40 


INTRODUCTION. 


tinued  triumph  of  Cliristian  sympathy,  of  frateiual  feeling 
and  of  divine  favor.  From  all  appearances,  that  meeting 
will  embody  a  large  number  of  the  leading  intellects,  not 
only  of  om'  own  country,  but  also  of  different  nations  of 
Europe,  many  of  whom  vnll  be  present  personally,  and 
others  by  direct  commrmications  addressed  to  the  Conven- 
vention,  detaihng  their  best  thoughts  and  counsel  on  the 
highest  subjects  of  interest  to  the  progress  of  the  church 
throughout  the  world,  and  to  the  glory  of  her  great  and  di- 
vine Head.  This  consummation  we  therefore  look  for  with 
deeiDest  interest,  fondly  trusting,  that  by  the  sjjecial  bless 
ing  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  it  will  give  a  new  impulse  to  the 
cause  of  true  Christianity,  which  will  be  felt  in  the  four 
quarters  of  the  globe. 


INTER -DENOMINATIONAL  COUNCIL  OF  EVAN- 
GELICiVL  CHURCHES. 

Whilst  the  preceding  movements  in  behalf  of  union, 
were  developing  themselves  in  connection  with  the  Evan- 
gelical Alliance,  other  similar  influences  were  at  work  in 
various  portions  of  the  land,  which  assumed  a  somewhat 
different  form.  The  objects  contemiilated  were  the  same, 
and  to  a  great  extent  also  the  persons  engaged  hi  their 
prosecution ;  but  the  forms  of  organization  adopted  by 
them  were  somewhat  different.  All  the  (/onfcrcnccs  of  the 
Evangchcal  AlHancc,  both  national  and  general,  were  con- 
structed and  conducted  on  the  principle  of  voluntary  asso- 
ciationft  of  individuals.  This  is  undoubtedly  the  best,  yea 
the  only  feasible  form  of.  organziation  for  the  Alliance, 
both  general  and  national  in  Europe,  where  church  and 
state  are  united.    Owing  to  the  union  of  the  civil  and  cc- 


INTRODUCTION. 


41 


desiastical  institutioBS  of  those  countries  into  one  govern- 
ment, the  civil  having,  moreover,  the  paramount  authority 
and  control,  a  different  organization  of  the  AUiance  would 
lead  to  a  conflict  with  the  civil  government,  to  an  imperium 
in  imperio,  and  often  be  productive  of  discord  instead  of 
union. 

But  it  is  believed  by  many,  that  ia  addition  to  the 
National  Branch  of  the  Alliance,  which  has  been  established 
in  this  country,  some  Confederation  of  the  Evangelical 
Denominations  of  our  land  as  such,  which  should  not  in- 
terfere with  the  interior  organization  and  management  of 
the  affairs  of  any  denomination,  but  provide  for  cooijera- 
tion  and  union  in  the  prosecution  of  objects  of  common 
interest,  would  tend  greatly  to  give  energy  and  increased 
strength  to  the  efforts  of  the  Protestant  chm-ches  of  our 
land. 

With  these  views  the  General  Synod  of  the  {Dutcli)  Re- 
fonned  Church,  in  the  year  186G,  undertook  to  inaugm-ate 
the  subject,  by  the  adoption  of  resolutions  introduced  by 
the  Kev.  Dr.  ^Matthews,  since  called  to  join  in  the  celestial 
union  of  the  Redeemed  in  heaven  from  the  foui*  quarters 
of  the  globe.  Delegates  were  commissioned  by  Synod  to 
bear  invitations  to  aU  the  highest  judicatories  of  all  the 
leading  denominations  of  our  land  to  convene  on  the  2()th 
of  October,  18G9,  to  organize  a  Coimcil  of  EvangeHcal  De- 
nominations. 

Accordingly  the  Council  met  at  the  appointed  time,  in 
the  city  of  New  York,  at  the  Reforaied  Church  on  "Wash- 
ington Square.  Tlio  (Council  continued  in  session  for 
several  days,  holding  tluee  sessions  per  day  and  commenc- 
ing each  day  with  devotional  exercises. 

At  the  first  meetmg  Rev.  Dr.  Matthews  acted  as  chair- 
man, and  the  session  was  devoted  to  religious  exercises  by 
Rev.    Drs.    IMatthewa,  Schmuckcr,  Waterbury,  Crosby, 


42 


INTRODUCTION. 


Harris,  and  others.  After  half  an  horn*  spent  in  devotional 
exercises,  a  temporary  organization  was  eftected  by  the 
selection  of  the  Eight  Rev.  Dr.  McEvaine  of  the  Protestant 
Episcopal  Church  of  Ohio,  as  chainnan,  and  Eev.  Profes- 
sor W.  H.  Crosby,  of  Pouglikeepsie,  and  'Rev.  Isaac  S. 
Hartley  of  this  city,  as  secretaries.  A  nominating  com- 
mittee of  three,  with  Dr.  Howard  Crosby  at  its  head,  was 
then  ai:)pointed  to  prepare  a  hst  of  officers  for  the  pemia- 
nent  organization,  and  a  business  cDmmittee  of  five  was 
chosen,  consisting  of  the  following  gentlemen :  Eev.  Dr. 
J.  M.  jMatthews,  Xew  York,  (Reformed),  Rev.  Dr.  S.  S. 
Schmucker,  Emeritus  Professor  in  the  Theological  Semi- 
uai-y,  Gettysburg,  Pennsylvania,  (Lutheran),  Rev.  Dr.  W. 
T.  ITanis,  (Methodist  Episcopal),  Rev.  Dr.  J.  Cotton 
Smith,  Xew  York,  (Protestant  Episcopal),  and  Rev.  Prof. 
Bacon,  of  New  Haven,  (Congi-egational. ) 

The  nominating  committee  reported  Right  Rev.  Dr. 
Mcllvaine,  (Episcopal),  Dr.  C.  D.  Foss,  (Methodist),  Dr.  J. 
M.  Matthews,  (Reformed),  Dr.  S.  S.  Schmucker,  (Lu- 
theran), and  Dr.  J.  B.  Waterbmy,  (Presb}i:erian),  for  pre- 
sidents to  act  at  the  successive  sessions  of  the  Council ; 
and  Prof.  Crosby  and  Dr.  Hartley  as  secretaries.  This 
report  was  imanimously  accepted.  Letters  were  read  from 
the  following  persons,  expressing  their  hearty  sympathy 
with  the  objects  of  the  Council  and  then*  regi-et  that  per- 
manent duties  prevented  their  attendance :  President  T.  D. 
WooLsey,  of  Yale  College,  Rev.  Pro£  Harris,  of  the  Bangor 
(Me.)  Theological  Seminary,  Rev.  Dr.  Dale.  Rev.  Prof. 
Phelps,  of  Andover,  (Mass,)  Prof.  Edwin  Hall,  of  Aubui'n, 
(N.  Y.,)  and  Hon.  Chief  Justice  S.  P.  Chase.* 

*  We  add  the  names  of  the  delegates  who  attended  the  couven- 
tion,  to  show  how  large  a  proportion  of  them  are  the  known  friends 
of  the  Es-angclical  Alliance. 

Rij^ht  Rev.  Bi:-hop  Mcllvaine,  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  Ohio. 


IXTRODUCTIOX. 


43 


During  its  sessions  tlie  Council  after  ample  deliberation 
adopted  a  brief  form  for  permanent  organization,  in  a  few- 
resolutions  ;  and  also  accejjted  for  consideration  a  sjUabus 
of  subjects,  presented  by  Dr .  Matthews,  as  suitable  topics 
for  the  discussion  and  action  of  the  Convention  at  its  pre- 
sent and  future  meetings,  among  which  were  the  follow- 
ing : 

1.  E\-ils  of  schism  among  evangelical  churches,  and  im- 
portance of  unity. 

2.  How  can  funds  for  education,  provided  by  the  State, 
be  secured  from  then  abuse,  or  fi'om  beiag  used  for  the 
dissemination  of  religious  error  ? 

3.  How  to  promote  the  work  of  Foreign  Missions  by 
infusing  a  spirit  of  greater  cathohcity  and  coojieration  into 
the  whole  system. 

4.  The  new  and  solemn  responsibilities  of  American 
Christians,  arisuig  fi-om  the  unprecedented  amount  of  un- 
migration,  not  only  fi-om  Papal  countries,  but  also  from 
the  lands  of  paganism,  as  Cliina,  Japan,  etc. 

5.  How  f;U'  it  LS  expedient,  and  hi  what  maimer  it  is  best 

•  Rev.  Dr.  James  M.  Matthews,  Reformed  Church. 
Rev.  Dr.  J.  B.  Waterbury,  Presbyterian  Church,  (Old  School). 
Rev.  Dr.  G.  D.  Abbott,  Presbyterian  Church  (Old  School),  secretary 
Evangelical  Alliance. 

Rev.  Dr.  W.  T.  Harris,  eoiTesponding'  member  of  the  Missionary  so- 
ciety of  the  Methodist  Episcopal  Church. 

Rev.  Dr.  8.  I.  Prime,  cd.  N.  York  Observer,  Presbyterian  (Old  School), 
New  York. 

Rev.  Dr.  W.  C.  Roberts,  Presbyterian  (Old  School),  Elizabeth,  N.  J. 

Rev.  Dr.  Joseph  lloldich,  Methodist,  sec.  American  Bible  Society. 

Rev.  Dr  G.  I  Day,  Free  Will  B  ipti^t,  editor  Morning  Star. 

Rev.  Dr  O.  B.  Cheney,  Free  Will  Baptist,  president  Bates  College, 
Lewiston,  JIaine. 

Rev.  O.  G.  Blake,  Free  Will  Baptist,  New  York. 

Hod.  I.  O'Donndl,  Free  Will  Baptist,  Lowvillc,  New  York. 

E  W.  Page,  Free  Will  Baptist,  New  York 

Rev.  George  I.  Van  Ve.=!h,  Reformed  Church,  Little  Falls,  Passaic  N.  J. 

Rev.  Dr.  A.  C.  Wcdekind,  Lutheran  Church,  New  York. 

Rev.  C.  D.  Foss,  Methodist  Episcopal  Ch.,  Thirty-fourth  street,  N.  Y. 


44 


INTRODUCTION 


to  employ  the  talent  for  teaching  found  among  the  laity  of 
the  Chm-ch. 

6.  Preaching — The  i^rimitive  and  apostohc  element  of 
success. 

7.  The  imperative  duty  of  the  churches,  as  such,  to  carry 
the  Gospel  to  the  masses  of  the  people. 

8.  Evils  resulting  fi-om  the  iiiadeqate  support  generally 
given  to  the  ministry  by  the  churches  in  om*  country'. 

9.  Duties  of  Chi-istians  of  the  present  day  in  reference 
to  the  wide-spread  corruption  prevaihng  among  our  civil 
ralers. 

10.  How  far  the  profanation  of  the  Sabbath  can  be  re- 
medied or  abated,  by  employing  the  power  of  the  civil 
magistrate  for  the  pm'pose. 

11.  Intemperance  —  Eesponsibihties  of  Chi-istians  in 
America  with  regard  to  it. 

12.  The  most  deshable  methods  of  fraternization  in  all 
suitable  locahties,  by  Conventions,  etc. 

13.  EesiDonsibihty  of  Chi-istians  iu  oui-  country  as  to 
the  Press,  both  secular  and  religious. 

Rev.  Albert  S.  Huut,  Methodist  Episcopal  Cliurch,  Brooklyn. 
Mr.  C  .  C.  North,  Methodist  Episeopiil  Church. 

Mr.  G.  J.  Hamilton,  McthotMst  Episcopal  Ch.,  Lexington  avenue,  N.  Y. 
Rev.  Dr.  Van  Nest,  Reformed  Church,  Florence,  Italy. 
Hon.  E.  C.  Benedict,  Reformed  Church,  Tenth  street,  New  Yorli. 
Rev.  John  E.  Cookman,  Methodist  Episcopal  Ch.,  Morton  street,  N.  Y. 
Rev.  Dr.  S.  S.  Schmuekcr,  Lutlieran  Clmrch,  Gettysburg,  Penn. 
Mr.  John  T.  Nixon,,  Presbyterian  Church,  (Old  School),  Bridgeport, 
Connecticut. 

Rev.  Prof.  George  E.  Day,  Theological  Department,  Yale  College, 
New  Haven,  Conu. 
Rev.  Dr.  Bacon,  Theological  School,  New  Haven,  Conn. 
Rev.  Dr.  Howard  Crosby,  Presbyterian  (New  School),  New  York. 
Rev.  Dr.  C.  S.  Porter,  Reformed  Church,  Broolclyn. 
Prof.  W.  II.  Crosby,  Reformed  Cliurch,  Poughkecpsie. 
Mr.  A.  D.  Belknap,  (Old  School)  Presbyterian,  New  York. 
Rev.  Dr.  Tliomas  De  Witt,  Reformed  Church,  New  York. 


INTRODUCTION. 


45 


14.  How  can  true  apostolic  piety  be  revived  among 
Christians  ? 

These  and  any  other  topics  of  common  interest  to  all 
parts  of  the  church  of  Chi-ist,  would  form  legitimate  sub- 
jects of  debate  and  action  at  the  meetings  of  this  Council, 
as  they  will  at  the  conventions  of  the  EvangeUcal  Alhance. 

The  resolutions  on  permanent  organization,  were  pre- 
sented by  Rev.  Dr.  Crosby,  Chairman  of  the  Committee 
of  five,  appointed  on  that  subject.* 

The  first  resolution  recognized  the  importance  and  pro- 
priety of  such  annual  meetings.  The  second  pro^dded  for 
the  appointment  of  delegates  for  sush  Councils  by  the  va- 
rious denominations  of  evangehcal  Christians,  through 
their  highest  judicatories,  a  uniform  number  of  delegates 
being  allowed  to  each  denomination,  and  in  default  of  such 
appointment,  the  delegates  to  be  named  by  the  Standing 
Committee  of  the  CouncU.  The  denominations  to  be  re- 
presented were  :  the  Evangelical  Baptist  denomination, 
the  Congregational,  the  Episcopal,  the  (German)  Re- 
formed, the  (Dutch)  Reformed,  the  Lutheran,  the  Metho- 
dist, the  Moravian,  and  the  Presbyterian  and  other  de- 
nominations. The  third  resolution  i^rovidcd  that  a  Stand- 
ing Committee  of  nine  be  chosen,  one  member  from  each 
of  the  denominations,  to  designate  the  time  and  place  of 
meeting  eacli  year,  and  to  notify  the  different  ecclesiasti- 
cal bodies  thereof. 

The  topics  for  discussion  being  under  consideration,  the 
President  suggested,  that  h\  order  to  render  the  transac- 
tions of  the  future  meetings  of  the  Council,  the  more  radi- 
cal and  useful,  committees  be  appointed,  each  having  some 
practical  subject  assigned  to  it,  to  consult  on  and  carefully  to 


*  Tlio  onliro  Committee  was  as  follows :  Drs.  Crosby,  Bacou, 
King,  Scliinuckcr  nnd  J.  Cotton  Smith. 


46 


INTRODUCTION. 


examine  the  same,  and  present  at  the  next  meeting  of  the 
Council  a  report  embodying  the  best  light  that  can  be  attain- 
ed on  it ;  as  also  propose  the  -wisest  measures  for  the  action 
of  the  Council  and  for  recommendation  to  the  chm-ches. 

Professor  Crosby  moved  the  appointment  of  several  com- 
mittees of  three  members  each,  to  report  on  the  topics 
hereimder  specified,  viz  : 

No.  1. — The  Evils  of  Schism  among  Evaugeliciil  Church- 
es, and  Importance  of  Unity.  No.  2. — How  can  fimds  for 
Education,  provided  by  the  State,  be  seciu'ed  fi-om  their 
abuse,  or  from  being  used  for  the  dissemination  of  religious 
error.  No.  3. — EesiJonsibihties  of  Christians  ia  our  coun- 
ti-y  as  to  the  Press,  both  Secular  and  Eehgious. 

The  President  then  announced  the  following  gentlemen 
as  committees  to  report  on  these  subjects  : 

No.  1. — Eevs.  Dr.  Bacon,  Dr.  H.  Crosby,  and  Dr. 
Smith.  No.  2. — Eev.  Dr.  Foss,  E.  H.  Benedict,  and  Dr. 
Abbott.  No.  3. — Eev.  Dr.  Prime,  Eev.  J.  S.  Hartley,  and 
Eev.  J.  T.  Day. 

These  are  the  principal  items  of  business,  which  occupied 
the  attention  of  the  Council,  and  were  matm-cd  to  action 
during  the  several  days  of  the  session  ;  together  with  one 
other,  which  occupied  the  attention  and  elicited  more 
pleasing  and  delightful  expressions  of  Christian  fellowship 
and  brotherly  love  than  any  other.  As  the  grand  object  of 
the  Comicil  was  Christian  Union  and  Christian  Love,  and 
co-operation  of  Chi*istians  in  advancing  the  interests  of 
the  Eedeemer's  Kingdom  ;  it  was  and  is  manifestly  of  the 
utmost  importance,  that  those  here  associated  together 
should  agree  in  their  views  of  what  Chi-istian  Union  is, 
and  what  are  its  legitimate  fniits. 

The  following  declaration  of  sentiments  on  the  nature 
and  iiijluence  of  Christian  Unioa,  presented  by  Dr.  Schmuck- 
cr,  at  an  early  period  of  the  convention,  was  discussed 


INTRODUCTION'. 


47 


with  much  interest,  and  in  the  most  pleasing  and  fraternal 
spirit  dui"ing  several  sessions,  and  then  adoiDted  by  the 
Council  : 

"  Ultcreas,  This  Convention,  consisting  of  members  of 
different  denominations,  has  assembled  for  the  pui-pose  of 
deliberating  on  the  common  interest  of  our  holy  and  divine 
rehgiou,  in  the  Ught  of  God's  Word  and  the  teachings  of 
His  providence,  in  order  to  adopt  such  measures  as  may 
promise  to  promote  unity  and  brotherly  love  ;  to  husband 
their  resoui'ces  and  concentrate  their  energies  for  the 
advancement  of  the  grand  interests  of  the  Redeemer's  king- 
dom ;  it  is  deemed  proper  to  make  a  brief  declai'ation  of 
sentiments,  that  aU  may  undf;rstand  the  high  and  holy 
objects  at  which  we  aim,  as  well  as  the  principles  by  which 
we  are  governed  in  their  attainment  ;  therefore, 

"  Eesol%'ed,  Fird  :  That  the  union  among  the  disciples 
of  Christ,  enjoined  in  the  Scriptures  and  so  fervently 
prayed  for  by  the  Saviom*,  was  not  pi-imarily  that  of  exter- 
nal organization  or  organic  xmity,  but  the  sphitual  union 
by  which  all  Christians,  whether  Jews  or  Gentiles,  bond  or 
free,  have  been  made  to  drink  of  one  spirit  and  constitute 
one  body.    (1st  Corinthians  sii  :  i;}). 

"  Second:  That  wherever  this  si^ii-itual  union  is  found,  it 
will  malnifest  itself  by  tlie  love  which  is  the  badge  of  disci- 
plcship  (John  xii :  35),  in  a  desu'e  for  those  several  social 
e.verciscs  for  worsliip  ordained  by  the  Saviour  and  his  Apos- 
tles, and  by  a  tendency  to  union  and  co-operation  in  all 
those  duties  and  pursuits  of  life  which  engi-oss  the  attention 
and  employ  the  powers  of  the  Christian  through  his  pil- 
giimage  on  earth. 

"  Third:  That  the  same  spiritual  union,  which  exerts  this 
haiinonizing  and  Ixnievolent  influence  on  Cliristians  as 
members  of  indivitlual  congrcgxtions,  tends  to  produce  a 


48 


INTRODUCTION. 


similar  influence  on  Christian  congregations  toward  each 
other  throughout  the  land  and  thi-oughout  the  world, 

"  Fourth :  That  this  spmtual  union,  if  its  principles  are 
fuithfuily  reduced  to  practice,  forbids  all  rivaky  or  jealousy 
or  opposition  between  Chi'istian  chm-ches  in  the  same  vicin- 
ity or  country,  or  even  in  aU  the  different  countries  of  the 
earth. 

Fiflh :  And  finally,  that  this  same  spiritual  imion  sanc- 
tions and  encourages  aU  such  external  aiTangements  or 
organizations,  among  Chiistians  of  any  and  all  countries, 
(such  as  synods,  general  assembhes,  associations,  conferen- 
ces or  councils, )  as  are  consistent  with  the  instinictions  of 
God's  Word,  and  calculated  to  cherish  brotherly  love  and 
co-operation,  as  far  as  they  are  practicable,  and  tend  to 
husband  the  resoui'ces  and  augment  the  etiiciency  of  the 
church  universal  in  advancing  the  intei*ests  of  true  religion, 
and  extending  the  triumphs  of  Christ  over  the  whole 
eai-th." 

The  popularity  of  such  an  Inter-denominational  Union, 
is  patent  fi'om  the  fact,  that  the  several  leading  denomina- 
tions so  promptly  responded  to  the  invitation  of  our  (Dutch) 
Reformed  Brethren,  by  the  appointment  of  delegates  to  the 
Council,  of  whoso  transactions  we  have  just  given  a  brief 
sketch  ;  although  the  simultaneous  meeting  of  several  of  the 
most  numerous  general  assemblies  and  synods,  prevented 
the  attendance  of  one  half  the  delegates.  The  idea  exten- 
sively prevails  that  such  a  Confederation  of  Denominations 
has  become  a  necessity  in  the  present  condition  of  the 
American  Churches.  It  is  required  in  order  to  confer 
luiity  and  elBciency  on  their  efforts  to  resist  the  enemies  of 
tnxth  and  righteousness,  as  well  as  to  arx'est  the  progress 
and  resist  the  encroachments  of  llomauism. 

But  dm'ing  the  formation  of  this  Association,  at  cvciy 
step  of  om*  progi-ess,  the  conviction  has  forced  itself  on  our 


/ 

INTRODUCTION. 


49 


mijid",  that  the  objects  here  contemplated  are  the  very 
same  aimed  at  bj  the  American  Branch  of  the  Evangelical 
Alliance.  It  appears,  therefore,  that  -n  e  have  two  organi- 
zations covering  the  same  ground,  conducted  largely  by 
the  same  persons  ;  so  that  the  meetings  will  be  unneces- 
sai'ily  multiplied,  and  be  felt  burdensome  by  the  chui'ches. 

Now,  to  propose  a  detailed  plan  for  uniting  these  two 
into  one,  as  well  as  to  bring  all  the  National  Branches  of 
the  Evangehcal  Alliance,  Foreign  and  American,  into  har- 
monious and  systematic  connection  vmder  the  World's 
Evangelical  Alliance,  is  the  grand  object  proposed  at  the 
close  of  the  ensuing  treatise.  In  the  meantime,  we  intro- 
duce the  original  work  on  the  principles  of  Christian 
Union  in  general,  as  a  preparation  for  the  enlightened 
judgment  and  adjustment  of  all  branches  of  union  organi- 
zations and  of  union  measm-cs.  Rightly  iustnicted  in  the 
true  princi2)les  of  Scriptural  unity,  we  shall  occupy  an  ele- 
vated standpoint,  above  all  sectarian  and  party  interests 
and  party  aims,  fi'om  which  Ave  can  survey  the  entire  "  field 
of  the  world,"  as  nearly  as  possible,  in  the  spirit  and  mind 
of  Christ,  and  be  enabled  in  these  eventful  days  most  suc- 
cessfully to  act  out  the  prayer,  which  the  Saviour  taught 
us  to  offer :  "  7'h>/  kingdom  come." 


3 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL 


TO  THE 

AMERICAN  CHURCHES. 


CHAPTEE  I. 
The  Obligation  of  Christian  Union. 

U.u-£Q  iiyit,  Tf/Qrjaov  avTolr  Iv  tCi  ui'ti/xari  aov,  ovf  SiduKug  fioi,  Iva  uaiv 

tv,  Koduc  i/J.eig. — Jesus. 
Elf  Kvpiog,  fila  TzicTLr,  Iv  jia-TLafia. — PAUL. 

When  the  sincere  and  unsopListieated  Christian  con- 
templates the  image  of  the  church  as  delineated  both  in 
theory  and  practice  by  the  Saviour  and  his  apostles,  he 
is  charmed  by  its  delightfid  spirit  of  unity  and  brotherly 
love.  When  he  hears  the  beloved  disciple  declare 
"  God  is  love,  and  they  that  dwell  in  love  dwell  in 
Gqd : "  and  again,  "  Beloved,  let  us  love  one  another, 
for  love  is  of  God,  and  every  one  that  loveth  is  born  of 
God,  and  knoweth  God : "  "  He  that  loveth  not,  know- 
eth  not  God  ;  for  God  is  love :  "  and  again,  "  Beloved, 
if  God  so  loved  us,  we  ought  also  to  love  one  another  :" 
"  If  any  man  say  I  love  God,  and  hateth  his  brother,  he 
is  a  liar;  for  he  that  loveth  not  his  brother  whom  ho 
hath  seen,  how  can  he  love  God  whom  he  hath  not 
seen  ?  And  this  commandment  have  we  from  him,  that 
he  who  loveth  God,  love  his  brother  also."  AVheu  the 
Christian  listens  to  such  declarations  as  tliese,  and 
nmnerous  others  of  similar  import;  when,  forgetting 
thinffs  as  they  exist  around  him,  he  brings  lii.s  wlioh; 

(51) 


52 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


soul  under  the  influence  of  this  love  to  God  and  the 
brethren  ;  he  perceives  the  moral  beauty  of  these  senti- 
ments, and  finds  his  heart  vibrate  in  delightful  unison 
with  them.  But  when  he  awakes  frona  this  fascinating- 
dream  and  beholds  the  body  of  Christ  rent  iuto  ditfer- 
ent  divisions,  separately  organized,  professing  ditt'erent 
creeds,  denouncing  each  other  as  in  error,  and,  often- 
times, hating  and  being  hated;  his  spirit  is  grieved 
within  liim,  and  he  asks  how  can  these  things  be  among 
brethren  ?  To  the  sacred  record  he  turns  his  ejes  in 
vain  for  the  sectarian  parties  which  now  constitute  all 
that  is  seen  of  the  church  of  the  Redeemer ;  he  finds 
nothing  there  of  Lutherans,  of  Presbyterians,  of  Method- 
ists, of  Episcopalians,  of  Baptists.  But  he  sees  that 
when  the  formation  of  similar  parties  was  attempted  at 
Corinth,  Paul  deemed  it  necessary  to  write  them  a  long 
letter,  and  besought  them  by  the  name  of  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  to  have  no  divisions  among  them.  Tlie 
Christian  is  therefore  consti-ained  to  mourn  over  the 
desolations  of  Zion  and  to  meet  the  solemn  inquiry.  Can- 
not a  balm  be  found  for  the  idcerons  divisions  which 
deface  the  body  of  Christ  ? 

Many  such  hearts  there  liappily  arc  at  the  present 
day,  which  are  relenting  from  the  rigor  of  party  organ- 
ization and  sectarian  asperity.  The  love  of  Clnist,  that 
sacred  flame  whicli  warms  them,  and  bids  tliem  strive 
together  for  the  conversion  of  a  world,  also  melts  down 
the  walls  of  partition,  which  might  well  enough  keep 
Jews  asiuider  from  Gentiles,  but  was  never  permitted 
to  sever  one  Jew  from  another,  and  much  less  ought 
now  to  separate  a  Christian  from  his  brother.  Many 
have  a  deep  sense  of  the  magnitude  of  the  evil,  though 


THE  OBLIGATION  OF  CHRISTIAN  UNION.  53 


they  have  no  clear  perception  of  the  remedy :  but  they 
knew  that  it  was  not  so  in  the  beginnizig,  it  will  not  be 
so  in  the  end,  and  it  ought  not  to  be  so  now.  Many 
are  pondering  these  things  in  their  hearts,  and  asking. 
Ought  brethren  to  be  thus  estranged  ?  Ought  Ephraiin 
thus  to  envy  Judah,  and  Judah  to  vex  Ephi'aiin  ?  Their 
number  too  is  multiplying.  Brotherly  love  and  Christian 
liberality  are  on  the  whole  progi'essive,  and  tender  in- 
creasing facilities,  whilst  they  urge  the  imperious 
obligation  of  this  inquiry  upon  every  enlightened  and 
sanctified  intellect.  Happily  many  of  the  ablest  heads 
and  noblest  hearts  in  Christendom  feel  called  to  review 
the  (jround  lohich  the  Protestan  t  churches  have  ieen  led  to 
assume^  partly  hy  ojytion,  partly  hy  inconsideration,  and 
partly  1/y  the  coercion  of  circumstances.  The  successful 
prosecution  of  this  inquiry  demands  the  casting  off'  of 
the  prejudices  of  education  and  long  established  habits,  a 
recurrence  to  the  elementary  principles  of  Christianity, 
of  christian  doctrine,  of  christian  government,  of  chris- 
tian duty :  and  the  men,  be  they  ministers  or  be  they 
laymen,  who  would  regard  this  subject  with  indifference, 
or  dismiss  it  with  a  sneer,  may  well  inquire  whether 
the  love  of  Christ  dwells  in  them.  In  this  great  con- 
cern not  self-interest,  but  the  interest  of  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom,  should  be  the  motive  of  our  actions  ;  not  vic- 
tory, but  truth  should  be  our  aim. 

In  this  incipient  stage  of  our  discussion,  Ave  would 
prcmi-c  a  few  prineij)Ies,  or  draw  a  few  lines,  by  which 
the  general  course  of  our  investigation  may  be  recog- 
nized, and  the  results  in  some  degree  be  anticipated  at 
which  we  shall  arrive.    It  is  admitted, 

(a^  As  oni>  Iwiuse  cannot  contain  all  the  Clu-i.-li;in  •  in 


54 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


the  world,  or  in  a  particular  country,  there  must  neces- 
sarilj  be  different  houses  of  worship. 

(b)  As  all  Christians  in  a  particular  country  cannot 
be  incoi"porated  into  one  congregation  to  enjoy  the 
ordinances  of  the  gospel,  and  to  execute  the  duties  of 
mutual  edification,  supervision  and  discipline ;  there 
must  be  different  congregations^  as  there  were  in  the 
days  of  the  apostles  ;  whatever  may  be  the  proper  prin- 
ciple for  their  construction,  and  tlie  jirojier  bond  for 
their  union  with  each  other. 

(c)  "We  premise  as  a  point  conceded,  that  all  the  several 
denominations  termed  orthodox,  which  are  but  clusters 
of  such  different  congregations,  are  parts  of  the  true 
visible  church  of  Christ ;  because,  in  the  conscientious 
judgment  of  all  enlightened  Christians  they  hold  the 
essentials  of  the  gospel  scheme  of  faith  and  practice  ;  and 
secondly,  because  the  Saviour  himself  has  aclcnowledged 
them  as  such  by  the  seal  of  liis  grace  and  Spirit.  "  When 
James,  Cephas  and  John  perceived  the  grace  that  was 
given  to  says  Paul,  to  the  Galatians,*  "  they  gave 
to  me  and  Barnabas  the  right  hand  of  fellowship." 
And  where  is  the  bigot  who,  at  the  present  day,  would 
claim  his  to  be  the  oidy  true  church,  and  thus  repudiate 
all  others  as  synagogues  of  Satan  ? 

(d)  As  these  denominations  hold  dissentient  views  on 
some  non-essential  points,  it  is  demonstrable  that,  on 
each  of  these  disputed  points,  one  or  other  party  must 
be  wrong,  and,  in  the  aggregate,  that  all  except  one  of 
them  must  entertain  some  error.  I'or  of  two  contrary 
opinions  oidy  one  can  be  true.     l>ut  the  pretension 


*  Chap.  2:  9. 


THE  OBLIGATION  OF  CHRISTIAN  UNION.  55 


that  any  one  sect  is  right  in  all  things,  and  all  others  in 
error  so  far  as  they  diverge  from  this  one,  is  highly  im- 
probable in  itself,  is  forbidden  by  christian  humility,  by 
a  knowledge  of  human  nature,  and  by  the  amount  of 
talent,  learning  and  piety  in  all  the  several  churches. 
Hence  some  error,  in  all  probability,  is  an  attribute  of 
each  sect. 

(e)  Finally,  we  premise  that  ministers  and  laymen, 
though  pious,  are  fallible,  are  sanctitied  but  in  part  and 
hable  to  temptation  from  secular  motives  and  feelings, 
even  in  things  pertaining  to  the  Redeemer's  kingdom. 
Hence  they  are  all  under  obligation  to  review  their 
course  of  thought  and  action,  and  ought  to  be  willing, 
for  the  glory  of  their  God  and  Saviour,  to  retrace  and 
amend  whatever  may  be  found  amiss.  This  obligation 
devolves  alike  upon  the  writer  and  the  reader.  With 
a  deep  impression  of  its  importance,  its  claims  are  urged 
on  your  present  attention. 

Under  the  presumption  therefore  that  in  these  diver- 
sities of  opinion  we  are  all  more  or  less  in  error,- let  us 
inquire  whether  it  is  right  that  the  body  of  Christ  should 
on  account  of  these  diversities  be  rent  into  so  many  dif- 
ferent ])arts,  under  circumstances  creating  dilicrcnt  in- 
terests in  each,  and  strongly  tending  to  alienate  their 
affections,  and  dissolve  that  bond  of  fraternal  love,  by 
which  they  should  be  united ;  or  whether  it  is  the  duty 
of  Christians  to  endeavor  to  heal  these  divisions,  and 
promote  unity  among  all  ^\•hom  they  profess  to  regard 
as  disciples  of  Christ.  The  will  of  our  divine  Master 
will  become  appai'ent  to  us  wliilst  we  successively  con- 
sider, 

The  Scriptural  injunctiom^ 


56 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


The  example  of  the  apostles  and  primitive  ChristianSy 
and 

Ihe  consequences  which  these  divisions  produce. 

In  the  wealthy  and  corrupt  city  of  Connth,  a  Chris- 
tian church  had  been  planted  by  Paul,  watered  by  the 
eloquent  ApoUos,  and  blessed  by  Him  from  Avhom  alone 
can  come  any  genuine  increase.  In  this  church,  it  seems, 
there  appeared  symptoms  of  the  spirit  of  sectarianism, 
that  spirit  "  which  now  worketh  "  not  only  "  among  the 
children  of  disobedieiice,"  "  who  have  a  name  to  live 
whilst  they  are  dead  ;  "  but  which  often  mars  the  enjoy- 
ment and  tarnishes  the  graces  of  the  members  of  Christ's 
spiritual  body.  The  Corinthian  brethren  had  long  been 
familiar  with  tlie  several  sects  of  heathen  philosophers 
and  religionists,  and  by  a  natural  transition  were  led  to 
an-ay  themselves  into  parties  according  to  some  religious 
differences  which  arose  among  them.  Some  said,  "I 
am  of  Paul,"  probably  because  he  first  laid  the  founda- 
tion of  the  Corinthian  church  ;  others  said,  "  I  am  of 
ApoUos,"  perhaps  on  account  of  his  superior  eloquence ; 
and  others  said,  "  I  am  of  Cephas,"  either  because  like 
Peter,  they  cherished  Jewish  predilections,  or  were  con- 
verted by  him  elsewhere.  Here,  then,  was  an  attempt 
to  introduce  different  sects  or  religious  denominations 
into  the  church  of  Christ,  ranged  under  different  lead- 
ers, such  as  Paul,  Apollos,  Peter,  Luther,  Calvin, 
Zuingli,  or  Wesley ;  and  what  are  the  feelings  of  the 
noble-minded  Paul  ?  Does  he  approve  of  such  a  coui'sc  ? 
Let  us  hear  his  own  words,  my  brethren,  and  pray  that 
the  spiiit  of  our  lacerated  Master  may  enable  us  to  un- 


•  Chap.  iii.  10.    Acts  xviii.  11. 


THE  OBLIGATION  OF  CHRISTIAN  UNION.  57 


deretand  them.  "  I  beseecli  jon,  brethren,  by  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ,"  Qiv  the  hope  you  cherish  through  him,  by 
his  suffering,  by  his  blood,)  I  beseech  you,  "  that  ye  all 
speak  the  same  thing,  and  that  there  be  no  divisions, 
schisms  (axioiiara),  or  sects  among  you  ;  but  that  ye  be 
joined  together  in  the  same  mind  and  in  the  same 
judgment.  For  it  hath  been  declared  to  me  concern- 
ing you,  my  brethren,  by  them  which  are  of  the  house 
of  Chloe,  that  there  are  contentions  (ypideg)  among  you : 
namely,  that  every  one  of  you  saith,"  either,  "  I  am  of 
Paul  "  (he  is  my  leader),  "  or  I  am  of  Apollos,  or  I  am 
of  Peter,  or  I  am  of  Christ.  Is  Christ "  (i.  e.  the  body 
of  Christ)  "  divided  ?  Was  Paul "  (or  either  of  those 
whose  names  ye  assume,  and  whom  ye  wish  to  place  at 
the  side  of  Christ  as  leaders  or  heads  of  the  church) 
"  crucified  for  you  ?  Or  Avere  ye  baptized  into  the  name 
of  Paul  ? "  (or  of  Ajiollos,  or  of  Peter,  so  that  ye  were 
received  into  their  church,  and  not  into  the  church  of 
Clirist?)  "T  thank  God''  (since  ye  thus  abuse  the 
privilege  of  having  been  baptized  by  these  distinguished 
men)  "  that  I  baptized  none  of  you  except  Crispus  "  (the 
ruler  of  the  synagogue)  "  and  Gains  "  (whose  hospitality 
I  enjoyed  wliilst  at  Corinth) ;  so  that  ye  cannot  with  any 
semblance  of  truth  allege,  that  I  baptized  you  in  my 
own  name,  and  thus  formed  a  peculiar  sect  of 
Christians. 

Such  is  the  powerful  and  decided  testimony  given  by 
the  inspired  ajjostle  Paul,  against  the  spirit  of  sectarian- 
ism. Ought  not  every  man  who  believes  himself  a 
Christian,  to  feel  the  force  of  tliis  rebuke,  and  ask.  Lord, 
what  wilt  thou  have  me  to  do  to  heal  thy  lacei-ated 
body  ?  The  apostle  does  not  even  introduce  into  his 
3* 


58 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


argument  tlie  nature  of  the  points  of  diversity  among 
them,  on  account  of  "uhieh  they  were  arraying  them- 
selves into  different  parties.  The  simple  facts  that  they 
were  baptized  into  Christ,  and  into  Christ  alone,  i.  e, 
were  members  of  the  church  in  good  standing,  and  that 
Christ  must  not  be  divided,  are  the  only  arguments 
which  he  deems  requisite  to  prove  the  iuipropriety  of 
their  divisions  and  of  their  assumption  of  different 
names.  He  would  have  them  Christians,  and  nothing 
but  Christians ;  not  Pauline  Christians,  nor  Apolline, 
nor  Ceplune,  nor  Lutheran,  nor  Calvinistic,  nor  Wes- 
leyan  Clmstians,  not  because  he  had  any  antipatliy 
to  Apollos  or  Peter ;  but  because  any  such  divisions, 
based  on  difference  of  opinions  or  personal  attachments, 
among  Christian  brethren,  naturally  tended  to  rend 
asunder  the  body  of  Christ.  Let  it  be  distinctly  remem- 
bered, then,  that  the  argument  of  Paul  for  the  unity  of 
the  Redeemer's  visible  church  is  twofold  ;  first,  he  main- 
tains that  this  unity  and  the  impropriety  of  divisions — 
not  on  geographical,  but  on  personal  party-gi'ounds,  are 
evident  ft'om  the  fact  that  all  its  members  are  baptized 
into  the  name  of  Clu-ist  alone ;  and  secondly,  from  the 
fact  that  all  divisions  based  on  such  differences  are 
equivalent  to  dividing  the  one  body  of  Christ.  Nor 
does  he  here  afHx  any  limitations- to  these  prmciples,  and 
no  uninspired  authoi'ity  is  competent  to  prescribe  any 
others  than  such  as  may  indubitably  flow  from  some 
inspired  declarations,  or  from  the  obvious  nature  of 
Christianity  itself.  The  apostle  Paul,  therefore,  dis- 
tinctly forbids  the  cutting  up  of  those  whom  he  would 
acknowledge  as  Christians  at  all.,  into  different  parties 
or  sects.    And  this  he  docs  even  by  anticipation,  lor  in 


THE  OlSLIGATloN  OF  CHRISTIAN  UNION.  59 


all  probability  tbesc  parties  liad  not  yet  fully  separated 
from  one  another,  nor  renounced  ecclesiastical  intercom- 
munion. Yet  there  were  in  the  apostolic  age,  as  well  as 
at  present,  men  who  claimed  to  be  Christians,  but  whom 
this  great  apostle  was  unwilling  to  acknowledge  as  such, 
and  commanded  "  after  the  first  and  second  admonition, 
to  reject."  " 

In  the  passage,  "  A  man  that  is  a  heretic  {alpeTiKov 
dvOpomov)  after  the  first  and  second  admonition  reject," 
the  apostle  liimself  limits  the  application  of  the  prin- 
ciples above  urged  on  the  Corinthians,  by  showing  that 
although  he  forbade  the  formation  of  sects  or  divisions 
among  Christians  on  the  ground  of  difference,  yet  there 
were  occasionally  persons  in  the  ijhurch,  who,  if  incor- 
rigible, deserved  to  be  cast  out  of  it  altogether.  The 
crime  Avhich  in  the  judgment  of  Paul  merited  this  pun- 
ishment, he  designates  by  the  term  heretical  (alperiichi')^ 
which  in  the  Engli>h  language  distinctly  refers  to  one 
who  denies  a  fundamental  doctrine  of  Christianity.  The 
original  word  also  sometimes  seems  to  have  this  sense  ; 
but  more  frequently  it  signifies  a  schismatic,  one  who 
makes  a  division,  or  forms  a  sect.  In  the  former  ac- 
ccptati6n,  the  passage  inculcates  the  salutary  duty, 
acknowledged  and  practised  by  all  the  orthodox  churches 
of  the  land,  of  excluding  from  their  communion,  and 
from  membership,  those  who  deny  a  fundamental  doc- 
trine of  the  gospel ;  that  is,  a  doctrine  unitedly  believed 
by  all  the  orthodox  churches,  and  regarded  as  essential 
by  them.  Some  denominations  would  exercise  still 
greater  rigor,  and  exclude  from  their  communion  the 


*  Titus  iii.  10 


6o 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


believers  of  doctrines  lield  by  such  sister  churches  as 
they  professedly  and  sincerely  regard  as  churches  of 
Christ.  But  Paul  wholly  repudiates  those  divisions 
grounded  on  diversity  of  sentiment,  among  acknowledged 
Christians,  which  would  render  it  possible  for  a  brother 
Christian,  when  ejected  from  one  portion  of  the  Saviour's 
chm'ch,  to  find  admission  to  another.  At  all  events, 
the  church  in  his  day  was  not  thus  divided,  and  those 
whose  excommunication  he  enjoined,  must  be  such,  and 
such  alone,  as  in  his  judgment  had  forfeited  all  claim  to 
the  Christian  profession.  The  apostle's  rule,  therefore, 
as  limited  by  himself,  ^vould  be,  that  we  ought  not  to 
separate  from  our  brethren  for  any  error  which  we  be- 
lieve them  to  entertain,  which  does  not  in  our  most  con- 
scientious judgment  deprive  them  of  all  claim  to  the 
character  of  Christians. 

The  primitive  import  of  the  Greek  word  alpemg 
(heresy)  is  selection,  choice.  Thus  it  is  used  by  many 
ancient  Greek  writers.  The  following  passage  of  Aes- 
chines  Socrat.  (Dial.  II.  3.)  amounts,  if  not  to  a  defini- 
tion, yet  to  the  most  appropriate  exemplification  of 
this  sense  of  the  term  :  d  6e  rig  aoi  6i66iv  aipeaiv  -ovroiv, 
■norepov  dv  j3ovXoio.  (If  any  one  should  give  you  the 
choice  of  these  two,  which  would  you  prefer  ?)  In  this 
sense  we  also  meet  it  in  the  Septuagint;  (Lev.  27:  18 
and  21,)  as  equivalent  to  ni"ip  free  will,  voluntarily. 

It  is  also  employed  to  designate  a  peculiar  Icind  of  dis- 
cipline or  mode  of  living,  that  has  been  voluntarily 
assmned.     But  its  more  common  signification  *  is 


*  Rosenmiillcr  defines  A?pf(T(f  thus :  Xlptneu^  vox,  per  ee  media  est 
LH/i  in  nialam  partem  sumitur,  signifient  idem  quod  oxw/tn  ;  sed  ros- 
triugitur  ad  ca  dis^.iilea,  quae  fiunt  cx  opinionum  diversitate. 


THE  OBLIGATION  OF  CHRISTIAN"  UNION. 


6i 


schism,  division,  sect.  Thus  Dionjs.  Halic.  (Ep.  I.  ad 
Ammaeum.  c.  7.)  sajs  of  Aristotle :  "  He  was  not  the 
leader  or  head  of  a  school,  nor  did  he  form  a  sect  of  his 
own  {pvre  axo/Sjg  //yovjuevof,  ovr'  Idiav  Tre-oirjaCj^  aipeaiv.)" 
It  is  used  by  classic  writers  to  designate  the  several 
pliilosophic  sects,  the  Stoics,  the  Epicureans,  the  Peri- 
patetics, etc.  It  occurs  nine  times  in  the  J^ew  Testa- 
ment, and  in  the  majority  of  cases  it  is  translated  sect 
in  the  common  version.  In  the  other  eases  it  might 
with  equal  propriety  be  rendered  in  the  same  way,*  as 
indeed  it  is  by  many  distinguished  translators.  In  its 
primitive  and  most  current  signification,  therefore,  the 
word  (aipeaig)  conveys  no  reproach.  It  is  used  to  desig- 
nate the  sect  of  Pharisee3,t  the  sect  of  Sadducees,:]:  and 
the  sect  of  the  Xazarenes  or  Christians.§  In  all  the 
passages  where  it  is  rendered  sect  in  the  common  ver- 
sion, it  signifies  a  party  of  persons  who  have  separated 
themselves  from  others  professedly  pursuing  the  same 
end,  over  whom  they  profess  to  have  some  advantages. 
Here  we  have  sects  substantially  corresponding  to  those 
of  our  days,  sects  based  not  on  geographical  lines,  but 
on  doctrinal  diversities  like  our  own,  and  yet  what  does 


*  2  Pet.  2:  1.    1  Cor.  11  :  9. 

f  Acts  15  :  5  :  But  tlierc  arose  up  certain  of  the  Hcrt  {a'lpeaic)  of  the 
Pharisees  wlio  believed,  sayini;,  that  it  was  needful  to  circumciso 
them,  and  to  command  Ihcin  to  keep  the  law  of  Mos'!."i.  Acts  20  :  5  : 
The  Jewd  know  me  from  the  be<^inuing  if  they  would  testify,  that 
after  the  most  straitest  sect  {algeaic)  of  our  religion,  I  lived  a  Phari- 
see. 

X  Acts  ."3 :  17  :  Then  the  Iiig"!!  priest  rose  up  and  all  they  tliat  wero 
with  him,  which  is  the  sect  (wpcair)  of  the  Sudduceea. 
§  Acts  34  :  5, 14 ;  23  :  22. 


62 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


Paul  say  concerning  such  sects  in  the  churcli  of  Christ  ? 
Using  the  very  same  word  by  which  he  designated  the 
sect  of  the  Pharisees,  (in  an  adjective  form,)  he  declares : 
Him  that  is  a  sectarian  man  (aipe-iKuv  dvOpw-ov)  an 
oi'iginator  or  supporter  of  sects  in  the  Christian  Church, 
after  the  first  and  second  admonition,  reject,  exclude  from 
your  communion  and  intercom'se,  avoid.  Here  we  have 
the  apostle  again  distinctly  condemning  the  formation 
of  sects  in  tlie  Christian  Church,  using  the  very  identical 
term  by  which  the  Pharisees  and  Sadducees  are  desig- 
nated in  the  New  Testament  and  the  several  sects  of 
their  philosophers  by  classic  Greeks. 

Again,  in  tlie  third  chapter  of  his  first  epistle  to  the 
Corinthians, '^^  Paul  denounces  such  divisions  in  the 
Christian  Church  as  "  carnal."  "  For,  (says  he)  whereas 
there  is  among  you  envying  and  strife  and  divi'^ions, 
are  ye  not  carnal,  and  walk  as  men  ?  For  wliile  one 
saith  I  am  of  Paul,  and  another  I  am  of  Apollos,  are  ye 
not  carnal  ?  "  How  then  can  divisions  essentially 
similar,  among  modern  Christians,  be  pleasing  in  the 
sight  of  God  ?  In  his  letter  to  the  Galatians,  f  this 
same  apostle  classes  these  heresies  or  divisions  among 
"  the  works  of  the  fleshy  He  beseeches  the  Romans,  % 
to  "mark"  {aiconelv),  attentively  to  observe,  or  watch 
those,  "  who  cause  divisions  and  offences,  contrary  to 
the  doctrine  (or  rather  the  instruction  and  advice)  which 
ye  have  learned :  and  avoid  them."    But  it  would  be 


*Vcr.  3,  4. 

f  Gal.  5  :  20  :  Tlio  works  of  the  flcsli  are — wrath,  strife,  heresies, 
atpeaei^  (or  sects,  tlivisous). 
t  16:  17. 


THE  OBLIGATION  OF  CHRISTIAN'  UNION.  63 


an  endless  work  to  present  all  the  passages,  in  wliich 
the  sacred  volume  inculcates  the  unity  of  the  church, 
and  deprecates  its  disruption  into  sects.  Let  one  other 
passage  terminate  this  branch  of  our  argument.  To  the 
same  Cormthians,*  he  says :  "  For  as  the  body  is  one, 
and  hath  many  members,  and  all  the  members  of  that 
one  body,  being  many,  are  one  body  ;  so  also  is  Christ. 
For  by  one  Spirit  are  vre  all  baptized  into  one  body, 
whether  we  be  Jews  or  Gentiles,  whether  we  be  bond 
or  free ;  and  have  been  all  made  to  drink  into  one 
Spirit.  For  the  body  is  not  one  member  but  many. 
Now  they  are  many  members,  yet  but  one  body.  That 
there  should  he  no  schism  in  the  body ;  but  that  the 
members  should  have  the  same  care  one  for  another."  f 
It  would  seem  then  to  be  irresistibly  evident,  that  the 
unity  of  the  church  ought  to  be  sacredly  preserved  by 
all  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus ;  and  without  stopping,  at 
this  stage  of  our  investigation,  to  ascertain  all  the  pre- 
cise features  of  this  unity,  which  will  hereafter  appear ; 
it  is  evident  that  the  union  inculcated  by  the  apostle,  is 
such,  as  is  inconsistent  with  the  diWsions  which  he  repro- 
bates, and  such  divisions  substantially  are  those  of  the 
present  day,  which  are  all  based  on  some  non-essential 
difference  of  doctrine,  forms  of  government,  or  mode  of 
worshi])  among  acknowledged  Christians. 

But  the  obligation  of  Christians  to  preserve  the  unity 
of  the  church,  is  evident  from  the  example  of  the  apostles, 
of  the  apostolic  and  subsequent  age. 

It  would  be  supci"fluous  to  affirm,  that  no  one  of  the 
apostles,  or  their  fellow  laborers  established  any  sects  in 


*  13 :  12. 


t  See  also  Epli.  4  :  3-0. 


64 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


the  Cliristiau  Cburcli.  Tlie  bare  supposition  of  tlie 
contrary  is  absurd  and  revolting  to  eveiy  mind 
acquainted  ^vith  tlie  inspired  record.  Yet  what  ample 
ground  Avas  there  for  such  a  course,  if  it  had  been 
regarded  lawful  ?  There  was  difference  of  opinion 
among  the  apostles,  and  difference  among  the  first 
Christians :  but  neither  was  regarded  a^  a  cause  for 
schism  or  division  in  the  church.  Paul  differed  from 
Peter  and  disapproved  of  his  conduct  so  much  that  (he 
says)  "  at  Antioch  I  withstood  him  to  the  face,  for  he 
was  to  be  blamed :  "  *  yet  neither  of  them  dreamed  of 
forming  a  sect  for  the  defence  and  propagation  of  his 
distinctive  views.  Paul  and  Barnabas  differed  about 
their  arrangements  for  missionary  operations,  and  when 
the  contention  grew  sliarp,  each  took  as  fellow-laborers 
those  whom  he  preferred,  and  thus  prosecuted  the 
work;  but  it  never  entered  into  their  minds  to  form 
dififerent  sects  in  the  church.  In  the  apostolic  age  tJiere 
did  exist  differences  of  opinion  and  practice  between 
the  Jewish  and  Gentile  converts,  far  greater  than  those 
which  divide  some  of  the  religious  denominations  of  our 
land  (the  former  enjoining  circumcision  f  and  other 
ceremonial  observances)  ;  %  yet  they  did  not  divide  tlie 
church  into  different  sects  under  the  guidance  of  the 
apostles.  On  the  contrary  the  a})ostle  enjoined  mutual 
forbearance.  "  One  man  (says  Paul)  esteemeth  one 
day  above  another :  another  esteemeth  every  day  alike. 
Let  every  man  be  fully  persuaded  in  his  own  mind. 


*  Oal.  2  :  11-14.  f  Acts  15  :  5. 

\  Oal.  4  :  10  :  Yo  observe  days  and  montlis  and  times  and  years. 
I  am  afraid,  etc. 


THE  OBLIGATION  OF  CHRISTIAN  UNION  6$ 


He  that  regardeth  the  day  regardeth  it  unto  the  Lord ; 
and  he  that  regardeth  not  the  dar,  to  the  Lord  he  doth 
not  regard  it.  But  why  dost  tliou  judge  (condemn)  thy 
brother  ?  or  why  dost  thou  set  at  nanght  (despise)  thy 
brother?  for  we  shall  all  stand  before  the  judgment 
seat  of  Christ.*  ISTor  did  any  schism  actually  arise  from 
these  differences  until  the  apostles  had  gone  to  their  rest, 
when  in  direct  opposition  to  this  advice,  the  Nazarenes, 
in  the  reign  of  Adrian,  separated  from  the  body  of 
Christians,  who,  however,  strongly  disapproved  of  their 
conduct.  It  is  certain  too  that  during  several  hundred 
years,  there  continued  to  be  persons  in  the  church,  who 
exhibited  a  lingering  attachment  to  the  Mosaic  cere- 
monial observances,  yet  they  were  not  excluded  nor 
advised  to  form  themselves  into  a  separate  sect.  The 
observance  of  the  Lord's  day  or  Christian  Sabbath  was 
un  iversal  ;t  but  some  Christians  during  several  centuries 


.  *  Romans  14  :  5-10. 
f  On  tlie  subject  of  the  primitive  sanctification  of  the  first  day  of 
the  week  as  the  Christian  Sabbath  it  may  not  be  uninteresting  to 
adduce  the  testimony  of  Justin  Marytr,  wlio  was  born  three  or  four 
years  after  the  death  of  the  apostle  John,  in  his  Apology  for  the 
Christians,  presented  to  Antoninus  Pius,  A.  D.  150.  He  says:  "On 
the  day  which  is  called  Sandni/,  all  whether  dwelling  in  the  towns, 
or  in  the  villages,  hold  meeting, and  the  memoirs  {' XTrit/ivtiuopevfiara) 
of  the  apostles  and  the  writings  of  the  prophets  are  read  as  much 
as  the  time  will  permit ;  thou  the  reader  closing,  the  person  presid- 
ing, in  a  speech  exhorts  and  excites  to  an  imitation  of  those  excel- 
lent examples ;  then  wo  all  rise  and  pour  forth  united  prayers,  and 
when  we  close  our  prayers,  as  was  before  said,  bread  is  brought  for- 
ward, and  wine  and  water;  and  the  presiding  ollicer  utters  prayers 
and  thanksgivings  according  to  his  ability  {onti  Arvu/iii:  ili>rij>)a.ni\  tho 
people  respond  by  saying  Amen.  A  distribution  and  participation 
of  the  things  blessed,  takes  place  to  each  one  present,  and  to  those 


66 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


continued  also  to  observe  the  Jewish  Sabbath  as  a  sacred 
day.  The  time  for  the  observance  of  Easter  was  another 
point  of  difference  and  even  of  warm  controversy ;  yet 
excepting  some  intolerant  individuals  neither  party 
seriously  thought  of  dividing  the  church  or  disowning 
their  brethren  on  this  ground.*  Had  these  difierences 
existed  in  our  time,  who  can  doubt  not  only  that  separate 
sects  would  have  grown  out  of  them,  but  that  their  for- 
mation would  be  approved  by  Christians  generally  ? 
ITay  is  not  this  question  decided  by  facts  ?  Is  there  not 
a  sect  of  some  extent  in  our  land,  the  Seventh  Day 
Baptists,  who  differ  from  other  baptists  only  in  regard 
to  the  time  of  observing  the  Christian  Sabbath;  they 
believing  that  the  seventh  day  continues  to  be  the  pro- 
per one  under  the  New  Testament  dispensation,  as  it 
was  under  the  Old  ?    But  in  the  apostolic  churches  it 


absent  it  is  sent  hy  tlie  deacons.  Those  wlio  are  prosperous  and 
willing,  give  what  they  choose,  each  according  to  his  own  pleasure  ; 
and  what  is  collected  is  deposited  with  the  presiding  officer,  and  he 
carefully  relieves  the  orphans  and  widows,  and  those  who  from  sick- 
ness or  other  causes  are  needy,  and  also  those  that  are  in  prison, 
and  the  strangers  that  are  residing  with  us,  and  in  short  all  that 
have  need  of  lielp.  We  all  commonly  hold  our  assemblies  on  Sun- 
day, because  it  is  the  first  day  on  which  God  changed  the  darkness 
and  matter  and  framed  the  world;  and  Jesus  Ghrid  our  Sanour, 
on  the  same  day,  arose  from  the  dead."  Murdock's  Mos.  L  p. 
164-5. 

*  The  testimony  of  Eusebius  on  this  point  is  very  satisfactory. 
Ho  says  (Book  V.  chap.  23),  "  there  was  a  considerable  discussion 
raised  about  tliis  time  in  consequence  of  a  diffi'rence  of  opinion 
respecting  the  obscTvanee  of  the  festival  (of  the  Saviour's)  pass- 
over."  After  narrating  the  history  of  this  discussion  and  the  efforts 
of  Victor,  bisliop  of  Ifonie,  to  break  communion  with  those  who 
differed  from  him,  Eusebius  quotes  an  extract  from  a  letter  written 


THE  OBLIGATION  OF  CHRISTIAN  UNION.  6/ 


was  different.  There  all  ^vho  were  regarded  as  Chris- 
tians and  lived  in  the  same  place,  also  belonged  to  the 
same  church,  and  worshipped  together,  agreeing  to 
differ  in  peace  on  minor  points,  and  remembering  that 
no  Christian  has  a  right  to  judge,  that  is,  to  condemn  his 
brotlier  Christian  on  account  of  his  conscientious  differ- 
ence of  opinion.  Each  one  was  to  be  fully  persuaded 
in  his  own  mind,  and  prepare  to  stand  with  his  brother 
before  the  judgment  seat  of  Christ.  Neither  was  to  sit 
in  judgment  on  the  other,  Christ  was  to  judge  both  ; 
and  until  his  final  award  their  differences  were  to  be 
borne  in  love. 

Let  it  be  borne  in  mind,  then,  that  in  the  apostolic 
agCj  when  the  church  was  governed  by  inspired  servants 
of  God,  and  for  some  time  after,  there  was  not  in  the 
Avliole  christian  world  any  such  thing  as  different  sects 


l)y  Ircnaeus  to  Victor  to  porsuade  liim  to  peace.  "  And  though 
(says  Irenacus  to  Victor)  tlicy  (the  'earlier  bishops)  tliemselvcs  did 
not  keep  it,  they  wore  not  the  less  at  peace  with  those  from 
churches  where  it  was  kept,  whenever  they  came  to  them.  Neither 
at  any  time  did  they  cast  off  any,  merely  for  the  sake  of  form.  But 
those  v(;ry  presbyters  before  thee,  who  did  not  observe  it,  sent  the 
cucliarist  to  those  of  cliurches  who  did.  And  when  the  blessed 
Polycarp  went  to  Rome,  in  the  time  of  Anicetus,  and  they  had  a 
little  difference  among  themselves,  about  others  matters  al.so,  they 
wore  immediately  niconciled,  not  disputinf^  much  with  one  anotlKU- 
on  this  head.  For  Anicetus  could  not  persuade  I'olycurp  not  to 
observe  it ;  because  he  had  always  observed  it  with  John,  the  dis- 
ciple of  our  Lord,  and  tlu)  rest  of  the  apostles,  with  whom  he  as.so- 
ciated.  Which  thinnrs  being  so,  they  communed  together,  and  in  the 
church  Anicetus  yielded  to  .Polycarp :  they  separated  from  each 
other  in  peace,  all  the  church  being  at  peace,  both  those  that  observed 
and  those  that  did  not  observe,  maintaining  tlie  peace."  Kus<'b. 
Book  V.  chap.  24. 


68 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


of  acknowledged  Christians.  All  who  professed  to  be 
Christians,  and  resided  in  the  same  place,  belonged  to 
the  same  church.  And  if,  as  was  probably  the  case  in 
large  cities,  they  met  at  different  honses  for  worship, 
they  nevei'theless  all  regarded  each  other  as  members 
of  the  same  church  or  congregation ;  they  all  frequently 
communed  together,  and  the  reason  of  different  places 
for  meeting,  was  not  diversity  of  opinions  among  them, 
but  because  private  houses  in  wliich  they  assembled, 
having  had  no  churches  till  the  third  century,*  could 
not  contain  them  all.  Heretics  there  were,  who  denied 
some  essential  doctrines  of  Christianity.  These  were 
excluded  from  the  church  in  which  they  had  resided, 
and  were  then  disowned  by  all  other  Christian  churches. 
But  different  sects  of  Christians,  aelcnowlcdging  each 
other  as  Chi'istians,  yet  separated  on  the  ground  of 
diversity  of  opinions,  such  as  the  different  denomina- 
tions of  Protestants  are,  had  no  existence,  and  were 
utterly  imlcnown  in  the  apostolic  age ;  nor  was  the 
great  body  of  the  church  ever  thus  cut  up,  in  her  purest 
day  during  the  earlier  centuries.  We  read  of  the  church 
at  Corinth,  the  church  at  Ephcsus,  the  church  in  Rome, 
the  church  in  Smyrna,  the  church  in  Thyatira,  the 
church  in  Philadelphia,  the  church  in  Jerusalem,  the 
church  at  Philipjii,  and  in  many  other  places  ;  but 
never  of  the  Pauline  church  in  Corinth,  nor  of  the 
chnreli  that  follows  Apollos,  nor  of  the  cinirch  of  (ienlilc 

*  Houses  for  Christian  worship  were  erected  during  the  reign 
of  Alosaiuler  Scverus  between  A.  D.  222-235 :  yet  Vater  supposes 
them  to  have  existed  at  tlie  close  of  the  2d  century.  In  the  year 
A.  D.  ;j03,  there  were  forty  Cliristian  churches  in  Rome,  and  Dio- 
clcsian,  the  tyrant,  ordered  them  to  be  razed  to  llio  grouud. 


THE  OBLIGATIOX  OF  CHRISTIAN  UNION.  69 


convert?,  nor  of  tlie  clmrcli  of  Jewish  converts,  nor  of 
the  church  that  retains  the  observance  of  the  Jewish 
Sabbath,  nor  of  the  church  that  does  not.  In  short, 
Christians  in  those  dajs  were  called  Christians  and 
nothing  but  Christians ;  and  one  christian  church  was 
distinguished  from  another  only  by  the  name  of  the 
place  in  which  it  was  located.  This  ought  certainly  to 
be  a  solemn  fact  to  those  who  have  taken  it  for  granted 
that  sectarian  divisions  of  the  churcli  are  right,  that  they 
are  doing  God  service  by  their  utmost  elforts  to  per- 
petuate them,  by  inscribing  on  the  tender  and  infant 
mind  the  lineaments  of  tlieii*  denominational  peculiarity. 
One  thing  does  appear  undeniable.  If  the  sectarian 
form  of  Christianity  be  its  best  mode  of  development, 
the  blessed  Saviour  himself — with  reverence  be  it 
spoken  ! — the  Saviour  and  his  apostles  failed  to  give  it 
their  injunction  ;  on  the  contrary,  enjoined  and  practiced 
directly  the  reverse  ! !  The  writer  does  not  from  these 
facts  infer  tlie  obligation  of  all  Christians  immediately  to 
renounce  their  ])resent  organizations  and  merge  into  one 
church.  Difficulties  now  exist  between  some  denomina- 
tions, arising  from  honest  diversity  of  views  on  church 
govermncnt,  which  did  not  exist  in  the  apostolic  age,  and 
which  render  it  impossible  for  persons  thus  differing  to 
unite  geographically ;  l)ut  sectarian  organization  may 
immediately  be  divested  of  its  most  baneful  intluences 
by  counter  arrangements,  and  the  essence  of  christian 
union  may  exist  among  all,  and  ouglit  to  be  promoted 
inmiediately,  as  will  be  seen  in  a  subsequent  stage  of 
this  discussion.  As  to  a  union  of  all  the  churches  of 
the  land  in  one  compact  ecclesiastical  system  of  judica- 
ture, such  a  one  did  not  exist  in  the  apostolic  age,  is 
undesirable  and  dangerous. 


70 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


But  the  importance  of  spiritual  unity  in  the  body  of 
Christ,  and  the  duty  of  promoting  it,  is  further  demon- 
strated by  the  hanrful  effects  of  sectarian  divisions. 

Sectarian  divisions,  divisions  on  tlie  ground  of  dif- 
ference, tend  to  destroy  that  community  of  interest, 
and  sympathy  of  feeling  which  the  Saviour  and  liis 
apostles  so  lu'gently  inculcate.  How  fervently  does 
our  blessed  Lord  supplicate  for  the  unity  of  all  his 
followers !  "  Neither  pray  I  for  these  (the  apostles) 
alone,  but  for  them  also  who  shall  believe  on  me 
through  their  word  ;  that  they  may  all  be  one,  as  thon 
Father  art  in  me  and  I  in  thee  "  * — that  there  may  be 
among  them  that  nnity  of  counsel,  of  feeling,  of  pur- 
pose, of  action  which  exists  between  the  Father  and 
the  Son.  What  can  be  more  reasonable  ?  If  all  his 
disciples,  all  who  "  believe  in  him  through  the  word," 
are  hereafter  to  inhabit  the  same  heaven,  to  surround 
the  same  throne  of  God  and  the  Lamb ;  would  not  the 
principle  of  Sectarian  divisions  carry  discord  into  those 
harmonious  ranks,  would  it  not  mar  their  heavenly 
hallelujahs  and  grate  upon  the  ears  of  angels  and  the 
Lamb  !  ISTo !  sectarianism  is  an  acknowledged  and — 
alas !  that  it  should  be  so — a  cherished  trait  of  the 
chui'ch  on  earth,  which  will  never,  never  be  admitted 
into  heaven.  And  who  can  doubt  that  the  neai-er  Ave 
can  bring  the  church  on  earth  to  the  character  of  the 
church  in  heaven,  the  more  pleasing  will  she  be  to 
him  that  purchased  her  with  his  blood?  Accordingly 
Paul  informs  us :  "  That  there  should  be  no  schism  in 
the  body  ;  but  that  the  members  should  have  the  same 


*  John  17 :  20,  2L 


THE  OBLIGATION  OV  CHRISTIAN  UNION.       7 1 


care  one  yo)' another  j  and  if  one  member  snlFer,  all 
the  members  suffer  with  it,  or  if  one  member  be  hon- 
ored, all  the  members  rejoice  with  it."  But,  gracious 
Lord !  is  not  directly  the  reverse  of  this  but  too  fre- 
quently witnessed  ?  Does  not  the  great  mass  of  the 
several  religious  denominations  of  our  land,  exhibit  any 
thing  else  than  "  the  same  care,"  for  the  other  members 
of  Christ's  bod}'  ?  If  one  denomination  suffers,  fails  of 
success  or  meets  with  disgrace  in  some  unworthy  mem- 
bers, do  not  surrounding  denominations  rather  at  least 
tacitly  and  cheerfully  acquiesce  if  not  rejoice,  hoping 
that  thus  more  room  will  be  made  and  facility  ofiered 
fur  their  own  eidargement  ?  We  do  not  find  that  mem- 
bers of  the  same  family  thus  cordially  acquiesce  or 
triumph  in  each  others'  misfortune  or  disgrace.  If  one 
brother  is  visited  by  any  calamity,  if  he  falls  a  victim 
to  intemperance  and  bears  about  in  his  bloated  face  the 
ensign  of  his  disgrace,  do  we  find  his  brothers  and  sis- 
ters rejoice  in  it  or  indifierent  about  it?  Do  they  not 
rather  sympathize,  feel  hurt  themselves,  and  mourn 
over  his  downfall  ?  Thus  ought  it  to  be  among  all  who 
deserve  the  name  of  Christ.  Thus  would  it  be,  if  the 
community  of  interest  in  tlie  Saviours  family  had  not 
been  impaired  by  sectarian  divisions,  which  place 
several  distinct  religious  fiimilies  on  the  same  ground, 
with  fccparate  pecuniary  interests,  with  conflicting  pre- 
judices, witli  rival  sectarian  aims !  In  the  apostolic  age 
and  for  centuries  after  it,  only  one  Christian  Church 
occupied  tiie  same  field,  and  t/ius  threc-foarlhs  of  the 
causes  which  origitiata  contention    among  modern 


♦  1  Cor.  12  :  25. 


72 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


Christioms  were  avoided.  Tliese  separate  interests  will 
always  create  contention,  rivaliy  and  jealousies  among 
fallible  men,  sanctified  but  in  part,  as  long  as  they  are 
not  removed  or  tlieir  intluence  in  some  way  counter- 
acted. And,  as  they  did  not  belong  to  the  church  con- 
stituted by  the  Saviour  and  his  apostles,  tlie  solemn 
duty  devolves  on  all  Christians  to  inquire,  IIow  can  this 
evil  be  remedied  ? 

Agam,  sectarian  divisions  of  the  church  impede  the 
impartial  study  of  the  sacred  volume  by  ministers  and 
laymen.  The  doctrines  believed  by  what  are  termed 
the  orthodox  churches,  as  "well  as  their  forms  of  govern- 
ment and  worship,  may  be  divided  into  two  classes, 
those  which  are  undisputed  and  held  by  all  in  common, 
and  those  which  are  disputed  by  some  of  them,  and 
which  distinguish  the  sects  from  each  other.  Tlie  sec- 
tarian principle  builds  a  wall  of  defence  around  the 
peculiar  opinions  of  each  sect.  It  enlists  all  Christians 
in  defence  of  the  peculiarities  of  their  denomination, 
and  creates  powerful  motives  of  a  self-interested  and 
miholy  character  in  vindication  of  these  peculiarities, 
rather  than  of  the  grand  truths  of  Christianity,  which 
are  essential  to  the  salvation  of  all  ;  motives  which 
appeal  to  the  pride  of  some,  to  the  avarice  of  others, 
and  to  the  ambition  of  a  third  class.  Each  member  is 
taught  by  the  very  principles  of  his  sinful  nature  to 
feel  identified  with  the  peculiar  interests  of  his  sect. 
His  vanity  is  flattered  l)y  the  supposed  respectability 
of  his  sect,  his  ambition  is  at  least  tempted  by  the 
prospect  of  extended  influence  or  distinction  in  the 
ministry  or  as  a  layman  in  the  ecclesiastical  councils  of 
his  extensive  and  respectahle  church,  and  his  avarice  is 


THE  OBLIGATION  OF  CHRISTIAN  UNION.  73 


concerned  in  diminishing  liis  own  expenses  hy  the  in- 
creasing numbers  of  his  fellow-members,  or  if  a  minister, 
hy  the  ample  support  which  he  may  obtain.  We  would 
not  insinuate  that  all  Christians  are  influenced  by  these 
unamiable  motives,  nor  that  any  true  disciple  of  the 
Sa\nour  is  mainly  actuated  by  them.  But  we  fear  that 
the  majority  of  ministers  and  laymen,  are  more  in- 
fluenced by  these  secular  considerations  than  they  arc 
themselves  aware.  Accordingly,  the  peculiarities  of  sect 
acquire  a  factitious  importance,  are  often  inculcated 
with  as  much  assiduity  as  the  great  and  cardinal  doc- 
trines of  the  gospel.  Endless  and  useless  controversies 
about  these  points  agitate  the  church,  and  disturb  her 
peace.  These  peculiarities  are  instilled  into  the  tender 
minds  of  children,  and  are  often  represented  as  involv- 
ing the  marrow  of  salvation.  Prejudices  are  raised  in 
their  behalf.  The  tenets  of  other  denominations  are 
often  kept  out  of  view,  or  stated  in  a  manner  but  ill 
calculated  for  an  impartial  investigation  of  God's  truth. 
The  antipathies  of  the  social  circle  are  sometimes  arrayed 
in  opposition,  and,  may  I  say,  sometimes  in  ridicule  of 
other  denominations  ;  and  even  the  gentler  sex,  sisters 
of  her  of  Hctliany,  who,  sitting  at  the  Master's  feet,  im- 
bibed the  streams  of  his  love ;  sisters  of  them,  who,  true 
to  their  affection,  were 

"  Last  at  the  cross  and  earliest  at  the  grave," 

have  hated  that  Saviour  in  the  person  of  his  followers, 
because  they  wore  not  the  badge  of  their  sect !  have 
forgotten  that  their  rchgion  is  love, — that  charity,  divine 
chanty  is  the  brightest  ornament  of  their  nature  !  Un- 
der such  circumstances,  doubl.^  of  the  sectiUMau  peculi- 
4 


74 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


arities  inculcated,  would  expose  the  ingenuous  youth  who 
should  avow  them,  to  social  inconveuiencies,  to  paren- 
tal disapprobation,  and  rarely  does  he  enjoy  ample  op- 
portunity for  impartial  investigation,  before  adult  age. 
The  fact  that,  almost  invariably,  young  persons  adopt 
and  prefer  the  peculiar  sectarian  views  of  their  parents, 
is  a  demonstrative  proof  that  their  irrcference  is  not 
huili  mainly  on  argument,  that  the  mode  of  religious 
education  in  the  different  churches  is  unfavorable  to  im- 
partial investigation.  The  simple  circumstance  of 
parental  belief,  is  assuredly  no  satisfactory  proof  of  the 
creed  which  we  adopt  on  account  of  it.  For  the  same 
reason,  we  should  have  been  Mohammedans,  if  born  in 
Tm'key,  Papists  in  Italy,  and  woi'shippers  of  the  Grand 
Lama  in  Thibet.  And  ministers  of  the  gospel  have 
still  greater  obstacles  to  surmount,  as  their  disbelief  of 
the  peculiarities  of  their  sect  tarnishes  their  reputation 
with  their  associates,  yea,  not  luifrequently  excludes 
them  from  their  pastoral  charge,  and  their  families  fi'om 
daily  bread !  Is  it  not  evident,  then,  that  the  state  of 
the  Christian  Church  amongst  us  is  unfavorable  to  the 
impartial  study  of  the  volume  of  divine  truth  ? 

Lastly,  the  principle  of  sectarian  divisions  powerfully 
retards  the  spiritual  conquests  of  Christianity  over  the 
world.  "Who  that  knows  aught  of  the  dinne  life,  can 
doubt,  that  in  proportion  as  he  i)ernuts  pi-idc,  envy, 
jealousy,  hatred  to  arise  in  his  heart,  the  spirit  of  piety 
languishes,  his  graces  decline  and  his  sense  of  the  divine 
presence  is  impaired  ?  But  sectarianism,  by  which  in 
tliis  discussion  we  generally  mean  tlic  principle  of 
divisions  on  the  ground  of  difteronce  in  iion-osscntials 
among  those  who  profess  to  regard  each  other  as  fel- 


THE  OBLIGATION  OF  CHRISTIAN  UNION.  75 


low-Christians — sectarianism  indubitably  creates  various 
conflicting  interests,  presents  numerous  occasions  and 
temptations  to  envy,  hatred,  jealousy,  slander,  and 
creates  an  azotic  atmosphere  around  the  Christian,  in 
wliich  the  flame  of  piety  cannot  burn  with  lustre,  and 
not  unfrcquently  expires. 

What  observer  of  transpiring  scenes  can  doubt  that 
the  sectarian  stiife  and  animosity  between  the  churches, 
deter  many  sinners  from  making  religion  the  subject 
of  their  chief  concern  and  from  being  converted  to 
God  ?  The  Saviour  prayed :  "  That  they  all  may  be 
one,  as  thou  Father  ai't  in  me  and  I  in  thee ;  that  they 
may  also  be  one  in  us ;  that  the  world  may  believe  that 
thou  hast  sent  meP  Here  then,  the  Saviour  himself 
informs  us  what  influence  unity  among  his  followers 
Avas  designed  to  eftect ;  history  tells  that  when  the  sur- 
rounding heathen  were  constrained  to  say,  "  See  how 
these  Christians  love  one  another,"  the  moral  influence 
of  their  example  was  amazing :  and  Avho  can  doubt  that 
inverse  causes  produce  inverse  e fleets ?  ''Who  is  not 
aware,  tliat  infidelity  itself  derives  its  choicest  weapons 
from  the  divisions  existing  in  the  Christian  Church? 
One  of  the  two  reasons  assigned  fur  the  apostasy  of 
Juhan  the  emperor  was,  that  when  he  saw  the  dissen- 
sions of  Christians,  and  their  rancor  against  each 
other,  he  took  refurje  from  their  hroils  in  the  quid  of 
Paganism.^''  * 

JIow  often  docs  not  the  principle  of  sect,  exclude  the 
blessed  Saviour  from  oin-  villages  and  sparsely  jiopulatcd 
sections  of  country,  in  which  united  Christians  might 


*  Sec  Harris'  excellent  work  on  "  Union,"  p.  101.    Boston  cd. 


76 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


support  the  gospel ;  but  cut  up  into  jealous  and  dis- 
cordant sects,  and  hating  one  another  as  though  each 
believed  a  different  Christ,  all  remain  destitute  of  the 
stated  means  of  grace  !  The  occasional  visits  of  minis- 
ters of  different  sects  serve  to  confirm  each  party  in  its 
ovra  predilections,  and  thus  we  often  witness  the  melan- 
choly spectacle  of  the  Saviour  excluded  from  such 
places  by  the  dissensions  of  his  professed  friends,  and 
sinners  shut  out  from  the  sanctuary  of  God  because  saints 
cannot  agree  whether  Paul  or  Apollos  or  Cephas  shall 
minister  unto  them. 

]^or  is  tlie  principle  of  sect,  less  unfriendly  to  the 
spread  of  the  gosjpel  in  heathen  lands.  By  often 
stationing  on  the  same  ground  at  home,  more  men  than 
are  necessary,  or  can  be  suppoi"ted,  laborere  are  impro- 
perly withdrawn  from  the  destitute  portions  of  the  field, 
which  is  "  the  world  ;  "  conflicting  interests  unavoidably 
arise  among  the  ministers  and  churches  thus  crowded 
together;  as  all  cannot  long  continue,  a  struggle  for 
existence  is  carried  on,  more  or  less  openly,  and  with 
different  degrees  of  violence,  until  the  failure  of  one  or 
more  drives  them  fi-om  the  field,  and  makes  room  for 
the  others.  ISTor  is  this  conflict  to  be  attributed  so 
much  to  the  want  of  piety  in  the  parties,  as  to  that 
actual  conflict  of  interest  which  unavoidably  results 
from  the  influence  of  sects.  But  certainly  every  true 
Christian  must  deplore  this  state  of  things,  and  it  is  the 
writer's  deliberate  conviction,  that  one  of  the  bitterest 
ingredients  in  the  cup  of  ministerial  sorrow,  in  many 
portions  of  our  land,  is  this  unholy  and  unhappy  strife 
among  brothers.  In  short  it  is  a  solenni  and  mournful 
truth,  that  sectarianism,  the  principle  of  sect,  in  a  great 


THE  OBLIGATION  OF  CHRISTIAN  UNION.  77 


measure  changes  the  direction  in  -nhich  the  energies  of 
the  church  are  applied,  transfers  the  seat  of  war  from 
Pagan  to  Christian  lands,  and  from  the  territory  of 
Clirist's  enemies  into  the  very  family  of  his  friends  !  In 
tlie  beginning,  the  Church  of  the  Redeemer,  at  peace  at 
home,  directed  all  her  surplus  energies  against  the 
world  around  her  and  the  world  of  Jews  and  Gentiles 
in  foreign  lands.  The  war  was  waged  not  by  one  por- 
tion of  Christ's  family  against  another,  but  emphatically 
and  distinctly  by  the  church  against  the  world ;  such 
was  the  almighty  force  of  the  spiritual  artillery  wielded 
in  this  holy  wai-,  that  in  about  three  hundred  years  the 
little  band  of  fishermen  and  tent-makers  fought  tlieir 
Avay  to  the  utmost  bounds  of  the  Eoman  empire,  and 
the  banner  of  King  Jesus,  which  was  first  unfurled  in 
tlie  valleys  of  Judea,  was  waving  in  triumph  over  the 
pahace  of  the  Cajsars.  But  who  can  deny  that  the 
Church  of  Christ  is  now  "a  house  divided  against 
itself; "  that  a  large  portion  of  the  energies  of  Christian 
sects  is  now  expended  in  contending  with  each  otlier, 
in  building  up  walls  of  partition,  in  fortifying  and  de- 
fending those  peculiar  views  by  Avhich  they  are  kept 
asunder?  The  wai-  is  no  longer  a  foreign,  it  is  an 
intestine  one.  AVhat  a  lamentable  waste  of  men  and 
funds  is  caused  by  multii)lying  the  number  of  sectarian 
institutions  far  beyond  the  actual  necessities  of  the 
Church!  How  large  a  portion  of  the  periodical  liter- 
ature of  the  day  is  occupied  in  these  family  feuds,  and 
consists  of  mere  "  doubtful  disputations  !  "  lluw  large 
a  portion  oi  ministerial  talent  is  placed  in  requisition  to 
sustain  this  conflict!  JIow  many  ])recii)us  hoin-s  of 
time  are  thus  api)licd!    If  all  the  time  and  talent  and 


78 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


effort  spent  by  the  orthodox  Protestant  Cliui'clies  in 
disputing  with  one  another  about  the  points  of  their 
dilierence,  since  the  blessed  Eeformation,  had  been 
devoted  to  the  projects  of  benevolent  entei-prize  for  the 
unconverted  heathen  world,  who  can  calculate  the  pro- 
gress that  might  have  been  made  in  evangelizing  the 
Gentile  nations  ?  Let  every  true  disciple  of  the  Saviour 
inquire,  why  do  six  hundred  millions  of  onr  fellow-men 
languish  in  the  shadows  of  death  eighteen  hundred 
years  after  the  blessed  gosjjel  has  been  entrusted  to 
Christian  hands  for  them  ?  Fifty  and  five  times  has  the 
entire  population  of  the  globe  been  swept  into  eternity, 
since  the  Saviom*  commissioned  his  disciples  to  publish 
the  glad  tidings  to  every  creature.  "Wlio  that  has  wit- 
nessed the  prompt  and  ovenvhehning  blessing  of  God 
on  the  eflbrts  of  the  little  band  of  Christians  in  Europe 
and  America  during  the  last  sixty  years ;  who  that  has 
seen  a  nation  new-created  almost  in  a  day  in  the  isles 
of  the  Pacific,  and  witnessed  the  standard  of  the  cross 
erected  in  Africa,  in  Greece,  in  Turkey,  in  Hindostan, 
in  Ceylon,  in  China,  and  many  other  places  ;  and  the 
glorious  gospel  of  the  Son  of  God  translated  into  more 
than  one  hundred  and  fifty  languages ;  who  that  reflects 
on  the  millions  of  Bibles  and  the  tens  ot  millions  of 
tracts  which  the  united  bands  of  liberal-minded  Chris- 
tians have  sent  forth,  can  doubt  that  if  the  Christian 
Church  had  not  become  secularized  by  the  unhappy 
union  with  the  civil  government  xmder  Constantino  in 
the  fourth  century,  the  world  had  long  ago  been  evan- 
gelized ?  Or  if  the  Protestant  Church  had  not  been 
split  into  so  many  parties  by  adopting  the  new,  and  we 
must  beUeve  unauthorized  aud  pernicious  doctrine,  that 


THE  OBLIGATION  OF  CHRISTIAN  UNION.  79 


they  had  a  right  to  adopt  fur  themselves  and  require 
of  others  as  tenus  of  commmiion,  not  only  the  funda- 
mental doctrines  which  were  required  in  the  earlier 
centuries  and  were  supposed  sufficient  for  hundreds  of 
years  after  the  apostolic  age,  but  also  as  many  additional 
and  dhpnt'id  points  as  they  pleased,  thus  dividing  the 
body  of  Christ  and  creating  internal  dissension ;  who 
that  is  acquainted  with  her  history  can  donbt  that 
greater,  far  greater  inroads  would  have  been  made  into 
the  dominions  of  the  papal  beast ;  and  the  glorioxis  gospel 
of  the  Son  of  God,  in  the  three  centuries  since  the  Ee- 
r formation,  have  been  carried  to  the  ends  of  the  earth? 
"  Thousands,"  says  the  excellent  Baxter,  '■  have  already 
,  been  drawn  to  Popery,  and  conlirmed  in  it,  by  the  divis- 
j  ions  of  Protestants.  And  I  am  persuaded  that  all  the 
arguments  in  Bellarmine,  and  all  their  other  treatises, 
have  not  been  so  efiectwal  to  make  Papists,  as  the  mul- 
titude of  sects  among  ourselves.*'  But,  in  the  work  of 
evangelizing  the  heathen  world,  the  consequences  of  our 
divisions  tlireateu  to  be  peculiarly  disastrous.  "  In  the 
heathen  themselves  we  have  to  encounter  all  the  blind- 
ness, superstition,  prejudice,  pride,  enmity,  and  sensu- 
ahty  of  the  human  heart.  In  presenting  Cliristianity 
we  profess  to  present  a  system  of  perfect  light — of  ra- 
tional and  consistent  divinity,  embracing  principles 
universal  and  benign ;  of  unlimited  benevolence,  and 
magnammous  generosity;  of  matchless  condescension, 
long-suffering,  and  meekness  ;  of  transcendent  peaceful- 
nesa  and  love  ;  of  pure  sjiirituality  ;  a  system  which  has 
Eternal  Love  for  its  Author,  Incarnate  Love  for  its 
Mediator,  and  the  redemption  of  men  for  its  object. 
The  niissiunaries,  too,  who  ])rcscnt  it,  must  be  regarded 


8o 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


as  professing  not  only  by  leaving  country  and  home, 
and  enduring  hardships,  but  hj  the  manner  and  all  the 
circiunstances  of  conducting  the  mission,  to  give  in  their 
own  persons  a  direct  practical  exemplification  of  the 
system.  They  are  the  burning  and  shining  light  by 
wliich  the  heathen  must  read  tlie  gospel.  Now  suppose 
that  in  the  very  act  of  presenting  the  gospel,  the  mis- 
sionaries fall  into  collisions,  bitterness,  and  wrath  of 
sectarianism,  and  one  cries  out,  I  am  a  Baptist,  hear 
me,  and  another,  I  am  an  Episcopalian,  hear  me,  and 
another,  I  am  a  Presbyterian,  hear  me,  and  another,  I 
am  of  the  American  Board  of  Missions,  hear  me,  and  an- 
other, I  am  of  the  General  Assembly's  Board,  hear  me, 
we  may  well  conceive  that  the  first  effect  produced 
would  be  amazement ;  and  the  next,  ridicule  and  con- 
tempt. '  ^Vliat ! '  they  would  reply,  '  Ave  thought  ye  all 
professed  to  preach  Jesus  Christ ;  we  thought  your  re- 
ligion was  harmony  and  love.  What  are  these  other 
names  which  Ave  hear  ?  Yf  hat  means  this  strife  amonj^ 
yourselves  ?  First  settle  your  system  among  yoiirselves, 
before  you  attempt  to  propagate  it.  First  learn  to  love 
one  another,  and  then  Ave  Avill  begin  to  believe  that 
love  prompts  your  endeavors  to  convert  us.  For  the 
present  we  Avill  remain  content  Avith  the  religion  of  our 
fathers,  Avhich  has  at  least  the  merit  of  consistency, 
and  does  not  embroil  us  with  each  other  in  matters  of 
faith.' 

"It  may  be  said  that  scenes  like  this  have  not  occur- 
red, and  that  the  missionaries  of  the  several  sects  en- 
gaged in  the  propagation  of  the  gospel  arc  harmonious 
co-Avorkers.  The  records  of  missions,  hoAvcver,  Avill 
prove  to  us  that  something  like  this  has  taken  place, 


THE  OBLIGATION  OF  CHRISTIAN  UNION.  Si 


and  that  at  the  present  moment  there  are  principles 
avou'ed  in  relation  to  missions,  "which  threaten  dissen- 
sion and  strife,  which  must  extend  their  baleful  influ- 
ence to  the  very  fields  of  missiouarj  labor.  But  if 
such  scenes  had  not  been  witnessed,  and  the  red  flag  of 
sectarianism  has  not  wrapped  in  its  thick  folds  the 
white  banner  of  gospel  charity,  in  heathen  lands,  to  what 
is  it  to  be  attributed,  but  to  the  forbearance  and  wis- 
dom of  the  missionaries,  who  saw  that  the  contentious 
of  sect  would  prove  a  devastating  war  within  their  own 
camp,  and  blast  their  prospects  of  enlightening  the  hea- 
then? There,  where  the  enemy  is  strong,  they  have 
indeed  seen  the  necessity  of  union  among  themselv'es. 
There,  where  they  have  been  compelled  to  retire  within 
the  strongest  intrenchments  of  their  religion,  they  have 
learned  that  these  intrenchments  are  not  in  the  dogmas 
of  sect,  but  in  the  great  principles  which  are  embraced 
by  their  common  faith.  But  unless  the  disunion  of  sect 
be  speedily  done  away,  the  time  mast  soon  come  when 
the  fierce  wars  at  home  will  be  carried  abroad ;  and 
then  the  heathen  lands,  like  the  plain  of  Acre,  will  be 
the  field  of  hot  strife  between  foreign  belligerents,  who 
after  the  battle,  shall  retire  in  weakness  and  disarray, 
and  leave  the  country  impossessed.  "We  take  the  posi- 
tion, and  we  believe  it  tenable,  that  the  gospel  caimot 
accomplish  its  great  triumph,  and  collect  the  redeemed 
from  every  land,  until  the  law  of  Christ  be  fulfilled  by 
these  Protestant  sects.  Jesus  Christ  will  not  sustain 
us,  the  Holy  Spirit  will  not  overshadow  us  with  his 
presence  ;  we  shall  waste  those  very  energies  and  in- 
strumentalities which  arc  required  for  the  work ;  we 
shall  not  possess  the  character  requisite  for  the  work  ; 


82 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


we  shall  be  impeded  in  our  moveinents  among  tlie  hea- 
then, and  prove  their  scorn  and  derision  ;  like  the  Israel- 
ites of  old,  we  shall  die  in  the  wilderness  in  view  of  the 
promised  land,  and  leave  the  glory  and  the  blessedness 
of  crossing  the  Jordan  to  a  generation  who  understand 
our  Christianity  better,  and  imbibe  its  pure  spirit  with- 
out these  gross  and  bitter  mixtures."* 

Such  then  being  the  mournful  consequences  of  that 
disum'on  against  which  the  Saviour  and  his  apostles  so 
urgently  admonished  their  followers,  we  feel  with  dou- 
ble force  that  the  church  has  been  guilty  of  suicidal 
error,  and  that  it  is  the  solemn  duty  of  every  friend  of 
Jesus  sincerely  to  inquire.  Lord,  what  wouldst  thou 
have  me  to  do  to  heal  the  wounds  of  thy  dismembered 
body? 


See  the  late  work  "A  Leaf  from  tlie  Tree  of  Life,"  p.  47,  &c. 


CHAPTER  II. 


THE  NATtTRE  OF  PEIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 

Deeply  impressed  with  the  conviction  that  the 
blessed  Saviour  and  his  apostles  have  explicitly  inhib- 
ited the  division  of  the  body  of  Christ  into  sectarian 
parties  or  factions,  and  fully  pursuaded  that  these  divis- 
ions which  exist  among  Pi'otestants  generally,  at  least 
lo'ith  their  present  concomitants,  are  highly  prejudicial 
to  the  prosperity  of  Zion  ;  let  us  approach  the  inquiry, 
What  is  the  more  imviediate  and  specific  nature  of  that 
union  which  characterized  the  primitive  church,  and 
which  it  is  obligatory  on  us  to  promote  ?  As  Protest- 
ants, who  are  ready  to  exclaim  with  Cliillingworth, 
"  The  Bible,  the  BiUe,^''  is  the  only  infallible  source  of 
our  religion,  we  must  naturally  turn  our  eyes  to  its  sa- 
cred pages  and  survey  our  subject  from  that  high  van- 
tage ground ;  nor  can  we  with  safety  rely  on  the  prac- 
tice of  the  church  in  any  subsequent  age,  except  in  so 
far  as  it  accords  with  apostolical  example,  or  at  least  is 
a  manifest  development  of  principles  clearly  inculcated 
in  the  gospel.  It  is  indeed  worthy  of  remark,  that  wc 
know  next  to  nothing  of  the  history  of  tho  Christian 
church  (luring  more  than  a  hundred  years  after  its  first 
establishment,  except  what  is  contained  in  the  Kew 
Testament.    This  has  often  been  regretted  by  men ; 

(8^) 


84 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


but  God  has  doubtless  designedly  enveloped  that  early 
period  of  ber  uninspired  bistory  in  darkness,  to  compel 
us  to  rest  entirely  on  bis  own  infallible  word,  and  to 
draw  a  clear  and  broad  line  of  distinction  between  tbe 
autbority  of  bis  inspired  servants  and  tbat  of  tbe  fatbers 
of  tlie  cburcb  in  after  aa^es.  Tbe  dictates  of  reason  as 
well  as  tbe  bistory  and  practice  of  tbe  earlier  ages 
wben  known,  may  afford  an  occasional  illustration  of 
onr  subject ;  yet,  a^  Protestants,  we  can  acknowledge 
notbing  as  essential  to  tbe  cbaracter  of  tbe  cburcb,  or 
tbe  duties  of  lier  members,  wbicb  is  not  distinctly  con- 
tained in  tbe  sacred  volume. 

Enligbtened  reason  does,  indeed,  prepare  tbe  way  for 
tbe  teacbings  of  Sci'ipture.  It  dictates  tbat  God  tbe 
Infinite  One,  is  tbe  cbief  good  of  tbe  universe,  tbe  Be- 
ing wbose  favor  is  life,  and  wbose  loving  kindness  is 
better  tban  life,  and  tbat  He  must  deligbt  in  tbe  bap- 
piness  of  tbe  creatures  He  bas  made.  Tbis  benevolence 
of  His  nature  is  confirmed  by  tbe  numberless  contri- 
vances witb  wbicb  He  bas  filled  tbe  eartb,  tbe  manifest 
design,  as  well  as  actual  effect  of  wbicb  is,  to  promote  tbe 
bappiness  of  sentient  creatures.  Tbe  religion  of  nature, 
tberefore,  as  far  as  it  extends,  proclaims  tbe  benevolence 
of  its  autbor.  But  all  tbis  is  placed  beyond  doubt  by 
tb%  declaration  of  God's  Holy  Word,  wbiob  explicitly 
afRrms  tbe  welcome  doctrine,  tbat  God  is  love,  or  be- 
nevolence.   1  Jolm  iv :  8. 

The  strongest  of  all  evidences  of  tbis  benevolence, 
contained  in  Scriptiu'c  is,  tbat  "  God  so  loved  the 
world,  (hat  He  gave  His  only  begotten  Son,  that  ichoso- 
erver  beUeveth  in  Ilim  shoidd  not  ]>erish  bid  have  cve?'- 
lasting  HfeP    If,  tben,  tbe  religion  of  nature  is  founded 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


85 


upon  the  divine  love  or  benevolence,  Low  nuicL  more 
must  benevojence  or  love  in  all  its  developments  dis- 
tinguish Christianity,  tlio  religion  based  upon  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  Son  of  God  on  earth,  for  the  redemp- 
tion of  the  fallen  race  of  man,  by  the  sacrifice  of  Him- 
self! 

Such  is  accordingly  the  description  of  our  holy  reli- 
gion contained  in  the  blessed  Word.  That  inspired 
record  presents  Jesus  Christ,  the  Son  of  God,  and  Au- 
thor of  our  religion,  as  the  perfection  of  benevolence. 
It  tells  us,  lie  forsook  the  glories  of  heaven,  and  the 
adoration  of  angels  and  archangels,  descended  upon 
earth,  and  assumed  our  nature  amid  circnmstances  of 
great  self-denial  and  suticring ;  He  Avent  about  doing 
good,  healing  all  manner  of  diseases,  administering  to 
the  wants  of  the  poor,  and  comforting  the  disconsolate. 
As  the  same  mind  was  to  be  in  His  disciples,  the  mem- 
bers of  His  church  were  to  be  characterized  by  the 
same  benevolence  or  love,  were  to  resemble  the  God 
whom  they  worshipped.  "  A  new  commandment  I  give 
unto  you,  that  ye  love  one  another :  as  I  have  loved 
you,  that  ye  also  love  one  another.  By  tliis  shall  men 
know  that  ye  are  my  disciples,  if  ye  have  love  one  to 
another."  John  xiii :  34,  35.  "  This  is  my  command- 
ment, that  ye  love  one  another,  as  I  have  loved  you." 
And  we  are  further  informed  tliat  those  disciples  ful- 
'fiUed  the  commands  of  their  Divine  Master.  "The 
multitude  of  them  that  believed,  were  of  one  heart  and 
of  one  soul." 

But  love  implies  attachment,  communion,  and  unity 
of  spirit,  not  discord  and  separation.  Accordingly, 
Christians  were  early  regarded  as  one  body,  that  is,  the 


86 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


church  constituted  bv  them  was  reo-arded  as  one. 
"For  bj  wie  spirit  we  are  all  baptized  into  owe  body, 
Avhether  we  be  Jews  or  Gentiles,  whether  we  be  bond 
or  free,  and  have  been  all  made  to  drink  into  one 
Spirit."  1  Cor.  xii :  13.  "\Ye  have  "  one  Lord,  one 
faith,  one  baptism  ;"  and  they  were  one  body  and  one 
Spirit,  as  they  were  all  called  in  one  hope  of  their  call- 
ing. From  all  these  declarations,  it  is  undeniable  that 
Christians  were  all  to  constitute  one  body  ;  that  unity 
was  designed  to  characterize  the  Cluircli  of  the  Ee- 
deemer  on  earth  as  well  as  in  heaven. 

But  the  question  returns  upon  us,  What  is  the  nature 
of  the  union  here  described  and  enjoined  ? 

{a.)  Its  leading  attribute,  evidently,  was  to  be  love, 
henevolence.  All  Christians  were  to  love  one  another, 
and  to  do  good  unto  all  men,  and  especially  to  them  who 
are  of  the  household  of  faith. 

(b.)  They  were  all  to  possess  one  and  the  same  faith, 
namely,  in  the  atoning  sacrifice  of  the  liedecmer  i  a 
justifying  faith  ;  reljing  not  on  their  own  works,  but 
on  the  righteousness  of  Christ ;  a  foith  not  necessarily 
of  equal  strength  in  all,  but  the  same  in  kind ;  that 
faith  which  works  by  love,  and  purities  the  heart,  and 
overcomes  the  world.  Thus  says  that  eminent  man  of 
God,  Spener  :  "  Christians  are  all  one  in  the  community 
of  spiritual  blessings.  ISo  one  has  a  better  God,  or  bet- 
ter Christ,  or  Spirit,  or  foith,  than  the  other,  although 
one  may  enjo}'  them  more  than  another."  Or,  the 
term  {-Tiaru-)  fuith,  may  be  understood  in  the  ohjedive 
sense,  {fides  qvm  a^editur,  the  faith  which  is  believed,) 
as  signifying  the  doctrines  of  Christianity,  those  great 
truths,  which  the  Saviour  and  Ilis  a])ostIes  had  taught 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UXIOX. 


87 


the  early  Christians,  the  profession  of  which  all  appli- 
cants for  admission  to  the  church  Avere  required  to  make. 
These  truths  were,  certainly,  not  more  numerous  or  ex- 
tended than  the  so-called  Apostle's  Creed,  consisting  of 
the  belief  in  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost,  w-ith  the 
leading  acts  of  each  person.  It  seems  most  probable 
that  while  justifying  faith  was  cliiefly  intended,  both 
may  also  have  been  included,  for  a  true  and  saving  faith 
in  the  Eedeemer  would  naturally  imply  those  cardinal 
doctrines  here  contemplated. 

((?.)  And  they  were  all  to  be  admitted  into  external 
union  with  this  body  of  the  Church,  by  Baptism,  the 
initiatory  ordinance  of  the  Christian  Church. 

id.)  Christians  were  all  to  assemhle  together  statedly 
for  prayer,  as  well  as  for  reading  and  hearing  the 
Scriptures  expounded. 

{e.)  Certain  men  were  appointed  to  preach  the  ^Yord, 
to  publish  the  Gospel  to  eveiy  creature,  and  were 
termed  elders,  or  bishops,  or  pastore. 

if.)  And  other  men  were  selected  as  deacons,  to  min- 
ister at  tables,  to  distribute  the  alms,  and  attend  to  the 
temporalities  of  the  Chm'ch. 

But  no  instruction  was  given  as  to  how  many  Chris- 
tians should  assemble  at  one  place,  before  another  place 
of  worship  should  be  selected,  and  another  church  be 
organized  by  choosing  the  necessary  officers,  elders  or 
preachers,  and  deacons. 

Nor  were  any  directions  left  on  record  as  to  any  ad- 
ditional external  bonds,  if.  any,  by  which  the  unity  of 
the  Spirit,  so  essential  and  salutary,  should  bo  expressed, 
pronjotcd  or  preserved,  throughout  the  future  history  of 
the  church. 


88 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


It  is  certaiu  that  this  union  did  not  consist  in  any 
compact  ecclesiastical  organisation  of  the  entire  church 
in  a  nation  or  empire,  under  one  supreme  judicatory. 

Exceptiug  an  occasional  interposition  of  apostolical 
anthority,  we  are  informed  that  each  church  attended 
to  its  own  aifairs  of  government  and  discipline.  Ad- 
dressing the  Corinthians,*''  Paul  says,  "  Do  not  ye  judge 
(/cptve-e)  them  that  are  within  ?  Therefore  put  ye  away 
{e^dpare)  from  among  yourselves  that  wicked  person  ;" 
manifestly  attributing  to  the  Corinthians  the  right  to 
discipline  and  exclude  an  unworthy  member  from  their 
body.  The  same  right  of  supervision  and  discipline 
over  her  members  is  attributed  to  each  individual 
church  by  the  Saviour  himself  :t  "  If  thy  brother  tres- 
pass against  thee,  go  and  tell  him  his  fault  between 
thee  and  him  alone" — and  eventually,  if  other  means 
should  fail,  "  tell  it  to  the  church^  Nor  do  we  find  in 
either  of  these  cases  any  ultimate  reference  to  a  judica- 
tory consisting  of  representatives  from  several,  much 
less  from  all  other  Christian  churches.*  The  phraseol- 
ogyj  of  the  New  Testament  evidently  implies  that 
each  church  was  a  distinct  and  complete  church  and  a 
member  of  the  body  of  Christ.  It  is,  however,  equally 
certain  that  the  New  Testament  presents,  in  addition 
to  several  minor  consultations,  one  example  of  a 
coimcil  or  synod,  §  whose  members  were  the  apos- 
tles, elders,  preachers,  and  brethren,  (that  is,  lay 
members,)"   and  who  assembled  at  Jerusalem  for 


*lCor.  v;13.     +  Matt,  sviii :  15-17.       See  also  3  Cor.  ii.  7. 
X 1  Gal.  i :  3,     1  Cor.  xvi :  1.     3  Cor.  <\-iii :  1.     1  Thcss.  ii :  14. 
Acts  ix  :  31 ;  xv  :  41.  §  Acts  xv. 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN'  UNION'. 


89 


the  purpose  of  settling  a  dispute  touching  the  obh'- 
obh'gation  of  Christian  converts  to  observe  "  the  law  of 
Moses,  etc."  This  sraod  Avas  convened  for  a  special 
purpose,  wasa^/'O  re  nata  convention,  and  although  it 
fully  sanctions  the  call  of  such  meetings  as  often  as  ne- 
cessary, and  justifies  a  provision  for  stated  meetings  if 
experience  establishes  their  necessity  and  utility ;  yet 
it  cannot  with  any  plausibility  be  alleged  that  the 
churches  were  then  regularly  united  into  such  synods, 
or  that  such  meetinocs  were  held  reijularlv,  at  fixed 
times.  Had  they  been  of  annual  recurrence,  Vvho  can 
doubt  that  some  trace  of  the  fact,  or  allusion  to  it,  would 
be  found  in  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles  or  the  epistles  of 
Paul,  which  cover  a  period  of  about  thirty  years,  and 
narrate  or  allude  to  the  prominent  events  in  the  history 
of  the  church  during  that  period  \  These  facts  ui-ge 
upon  our  attention  several  important  positions,  the 
value  of  which  will  be  more  evident  in  the  sequel. 
They  are  these : 

(a.)  That  the  divine  Head  of  the  church  has  intrusted 
the  great  mass  of  the  dut'es  and  privileges  of  his  king- 
dom to  the  individual  churches  in  their  primanj  capa- 
city. Hence,  though  the  churches  ought  to  take  counsel 
with  each  other,  and  for  this  pui-pose  may  have  stated 
meetinrfs,  and  constitute  regular  synods,  tliey  should 
not  sufier  any  encroachments  on  their  rights,  nor  per- 
mit too  mudi  of  their  business  to  be  transacted  by  these 
<ii??e^afe</ associations,  presbyteries  or  synods.  The  neg- 
lect of  this  caution  gradually  robbed  the  churches  of 
their  rights  and  liberties  in  past  ages,  and  fostered  that 
incubus  of  Christianity,  the  papal  liierarchy  at  liome. 

(&.)  The  diity  of  fraternal  consultation  and  union 


go 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


of  counsel  oitght  not  to  he  neglected  hy  the  church  in  the 
discharge  of  her  duties.  This  principle  evidently  affords 
sanction  to  the  various  associations  among  the  churches 
sucli  as  presbyteries,  synods,  conferences,  etc.,  for  the 
pui'poses  of  mutual  counsel,  encouragement  and  co- 
operation in  the  performance  of  such  duties  as  can  best 
be  accomplished  by  conjunction  of  means  and  efforts. 
Yet  the  history  of  past  ages  distinctly  admonishes  us  to 
beware  of  the  natural  tendency  to  consolidation  in 
churcli  as  well  as  state.  There  is  doubtless  danger  of 
the  concentration  of  power  in  the  hands  of  ecclesiast- 
ical judicatories,  which  has  in  former  ages,  alas !  been 
but  too  frequently  abused  to  purposes  of  oppression  and 
bloodshed,  to  the  destruction  of  liberty  of  conscience, 
and  the  hindrance  of  the  Eedeemcr's  spiritual  king- 
dom. It  appears  inexpedient  for  the  churches  to  de- 
volve on  their  delegated  judicatories  such  duties  as  they 
can  j^erform  as  well  in  their  primary  capacity  for  an- 
other reason  ;  because,  when  duties  of  various  kinds  are 
accumulated  on  any  individual  bodies,  they  must  neces- 
sarily be  less  able  to  discharge  them  all  with  efficiency. 

It  is  evident,  then,  that  in  the  apostolic  age  the  unity 
of  the  church  did  not  consist  in  a  compact  conjunction 
of  all  her  parts  in  an  ecclesiastical  judicatory.  On  the 
contrary,  we  have  no  accounts  of  any  synods  or  coun- 
cils after  that  age,  until  the  lattei'  part  of  the  second 
century.  Yet  Eusebius,  the  earliest  author  by  whom 
the  transactions  of  these  councils  are  recorded,  uses  the 
following  language,  from  which  it  is  probable  tliat  such 
councils  were  nothing  new,  and  tliat  similar  ones  had 
been  occasionally  held  during  the  previous  seventy-five 
years  which  had  iutervcned  since  the  death  of  the  last 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


91 


apostle  :*  "  About  this  time  appeared  Novatus,  a  pres- 
byter of  the  cbiircb  of  Eome,  and  a  man  elated  Avith 
baugbtiness  against  tbose  (that  bad  fallen),  as  if  tbere 
were  no  room  for  tbem  to  bope  for  salvation,  not  even 
if  they  performed  all  things  which  belong  to  a  genuine 
conversion,  and  a  pure  confession.  He  thus  became 
the  leader  of  the  peculiar  sect  of  those  wlio,  inflated  by 
vain  imaginations,  called  themselves  Cathari.  A  very 
large  council  being  held  at  Eome  on  this  account,  at 
which  sixty  bishops  and  a  still  greater  niimber  of  pres- 
byters and  deacons  were  present,  and  the  pastors  of  the 
remaining  provinces,  having,  according  to  their  loca- 
tion, dehberated  separately  Avbat  should  be  done,  this 
decree  was  passed  by  all :  That  Novatus  and  those  who 
60  arrogantly  united  with  him,  and  those  who  had 
chosen  to  adopt  the  uncharitable  and  most  inhuman 
opinion  of  the  man,  should  be  ranked  among  such  as  are 
aliens  from  the  church  (excluded);  but  that  such  of  the 
brethren  as  had  fallen  during  the  calamity  (persecution) 
should  be  treated  and  healed  with  the  remedies  of  re- 
pentance." 


*  Euseb.  Book  6,  Chapter  43.  'EnetdT}  jreg  ry  Kara  tovtuv  upOfif 
iwepr/Oavii}  Noovuto^  rij^  'I'u/miuv  iKKlrjaia^  irpeapvTepoc,  <^C  I^VK^'  ovotj^ 
avTotc  auTT/piac  t/-i6or,  iirjd'  el  Tzuvra  rii  etc  tinaTpo<l>iiv  yujialai'  koI  ku- 
OofiHv  l^ofioXiiyTjoiv  iTTiTelolev,  lAiac  alpeaeu^  rCiv  kotu  ?^oyiafiov  (pvmtjaiv 
KaOnp»ii(  lavTobg  dirof^vuvTuv,  dpxvy^>i  KafKaTarai.  i(j>  ^  avvudov  uey'ia- 
r>ir  Izi  'Vo/irjc  avyKpuTtiOeiaTjc,  efi/Kovra  fiiv  rbv  upiO/iov  InioKonuv,  ■K7.ti- 
bvuv  de  In  ftuXkov  Trpea/ivTepuv  re  koI  ^laKovuv,  Idcu^  re  Karh  rur  Tionrac 
l^rapxlaf  rCtv  Kara  xi'-ipav  ttoi/icvuv  nepl  rov  vpuKnov  thaTKeijiafievuv,  iW>y- 
fia  naplaTarai  toIi;  ttuoi  '  Tor  filv  Noovutov  u/m  toI<;  ovtC  ovveTapfleiac, 
Touf  re  avvevduKeiv  tij  /iiaa<5e>.<p(j  koI  dTzavSpuTroTaTri  yvufitj  t  upd/iof 
npoatpo/ivtviwc,  (v  u?,?.oTpioir  r;}r  iKK/ijmac  i/yeioOai  •  toiV  M  tii  m-ii^np^ 
neQiKfirTuKOTac  tCji>  dih/ifiuv,  luaOai  Km  Orpmrivnv  ro?f  t/Jc  /leTnvo'iac 
^apfiuKoic—EM^  Ziniiiu  iiiinnn,  Vol.  I.  p.  Kil,  AC,-). 


92 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


This  is  tlie  earliest  account  extant  of  any  regular 
synod  after  the  apostolic  age.  The  absence  of  even  the 
least  intimation,  that  this  assembly  was  any  thing  novel, 
confers  some  probability  on  the  supposition  that  other 
similar  meetings  had  occasionally  occurred  before.  But 
it  was  not  until  the  close  of  the  second,  or  beginning  of 
the  third  century,  that  these  associations  began  to  hold 
Tegular  and  stated  meetings.  This  practice  was  first 
introduced  in  Greece,  where  the  popular  mind  had  been 
familiarized  to  such  stated  representative  conventions, 
by  the  Amphictyonic  Council,  and  would  naturally  be 
inclined  to  transfer  .to  the  Church  what  had  proved  so 
acceptable  in  State.*  Still  the  inti'oduction  of  regular 
stated  meetings  bad  to  encomiter  some  opposition,  for 
Tertullian,  in  the  commencement  of  the  third  century, 
found  it  necessary  to  undertake  their  dcfence.f  By 
the  middle  of  the  third  century,  however,  these  stated 
annual  meetings  had  become  very  general.;}:  Lay  re- 
presentatives were  at  first  admitted  to  these  councils, 
as  the  "  brethren  "  evidently  had  been  in  the  apostolic 
age;  but  in  process  of  time  the  bishops  secured  all  this 
power  to  themselves.  §    These  conventions  were  merely 

*  Sec  Neander's  Kirchengeschichte,  Vol.  I.  p.  322.  TertuUian's 
words  are,  "Aguntiir  per  Graecias  ilia  cenis  in  locis  concilia,  ex 
imiversis  ccclesiis,  per  quae  ct  altiora  quacque  in  commune  tracian- 
tur  et  ipsa  represcntatio  totius  nominis  Christiani  magna  venora- 
tione  celebratur."    De  .Jcjunii?;,  c.  13. 

\  "  Ista  solennia,  quibua  tunc  pracscns  patrocinatus  cat  sornio." — 
Tertullian. 

X  Cyprian.  Ep.  40.  and  Firmilianus,  (apud  Cyprian.  Ep.  75.)  of 
Cappadocia  :  Noces8ario  apud  nos  (it,  ut  persingulos  annos  seniores 
ct  pracpositi  in  unum  convoniamus,  ad  diapononda  ea  quae  curao 
nostrae  comniissa  sunt.    Noandcr  sup.  cit.  p.  322. 

§  Neander  sup.  cit.  p.  324.  » 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


93 


provincial,  and  embraced  the  churches  of  only  one  par- 
ticular country  or  province.  The  entire  Christian 
Church  was  not  yet  united  by  any  supreme  judicatory, 
having  jurisdiction  over  all  its  parts,  as  eventually 
occurred  under  the  papal  hierarchy ;  but  here  we  find 
for  the  fii^st  time  a  visible  union  of  all  the  acknowledged 
churches  in  a  particular  country  under  one  ecclesias- 
tical judicatory.  Such  an  extensive  union  in  one  judi- 
catory, could  not  long  fail  to  abridge  freedom  of  inves- 
tigation and  liberty  of  conscience,  if  its  powers  were 
not  purely  those  of  an  advisory  council,  and  its  advice 
confined  to  matters  originating  between  the  smaller 
judicatories  and  contcmi)lating  their  relation  to  each 
other,  and  the  progress  of  the  Church  in  general. 

Again,  the  primitive  unity  of  the  Church  of  Christ 
did  not  consist  in  the  organization  of  the  whole  church 
on  earth  under  one  visible  head,  such  as  the  Pope  at 
Rome  and  the  Papal  hierarchy.  AVe  shall  not  here 
top  to  prove,  that  the  power  given  alike  by  the  Saviour 
I  all  the  apostles,"  could  not  confer  any  peculiar  au- 
liiority  on  Peter:  nor  that  Peter's  having  professed  the 
doctrine  of  the  Saviour's  Messiahship,  on  which  the 
Lord  founded  his  Church,  does  not  ])rove  that  he  founded 
it:  on  Peter  himself,  making  him  and  his  successors  his 
\  icara  upon  earth.    It  is  admitted  by  all  Protestants 

<  Mntt.  IG :  19  :  And  I  will  fjivc  unto  tlieo  (Peter  v.  18)  tlie  keys  of 
kingdom  of  heaven  :  and  wliatsoever  thou  shtilt  hind  on  eiirtli, 
ill  l)e  hound  in  heaven  ;  suid  whatsoever  thou  shalt  I0080  on  I'urtli 
ull  l)e  loosed  in  heaven,    ("hap.  18:  1,18:  At  the  same  time  came 
I  111-  disciples  unto  Jesu.i,  etc, — He  said— Verily  I  say  unto  you  (dis- 
l  iples,  v.  li  whatsoever  ye  shall  bind  on  earth,  sliall  be  bound  in 
heaven  :  and  whatsoever  yc  ehall  loose  on  earth,  shall  be  loosed  in 
1 1 raven 


94 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


that  the  Pope  is  a  creature  as  utterly  unknown  to  the 
Bible  as  is  the  Grand  Lama  of  the  Tartars.  It  is  well 
known  that  the  Papal  hierarchy  is  the  gradual  produc- 
tion of  many  centuries  of  corruption.  In  the  third  cen- 
tury the  churches  of  a  particular  kingdom  or  province 
were  united  by  provincial  synods ;  but  it  remained  for 
the  ardent  African  bishop  Cyprian,  after  the  middle  of 
the  tliird  century,  by  an  unliappy  confusion  of  the 
visible  with  the  invisible  Church,  to  develope  in  all  its 
hneaments  the  theory  of  a  necessary  visible  union  of  the 
whole  Church  on  earth  in  one  uniform  external  organ- 
ization, imder  a  definite  apostolic  succession  of  bishops, 
as  the  essential  channel  of  the  Spirit's  influences  on 
earth,  transmitted  by  ordination.^'  It  is  only  under  the 
influence  of  this  confused  thcoiw,  that  enlightened  and 
good  men  could  believe  in  the  impossibility  of  salvation 
Avithout  the  pales  of  their  own  visible  church !  that 
such  a  man  as  Augustine  could  advance  the  following 
sentiments  in  the  official  epistle  of  the  Synod  assembled 
at  Cirta  in  the  year  412 :  Quisquis  ab  hac  catholica 
ecclesia  fuerit  separatus,  quantumlibet  laudabiliter  se 
yivere  existimet,  hoc  solo  seelere,  quod  a  Christi  unitate 
disjunctus  est,  non  habebit  vitam  seel  ij'a  Dei  manet 
sxiper  ipsum.  Quisquis  autem  in  ecclesia  bene  vixerit, 
nihil  ei  praejudicant  aliena  peccata,  quia  unusquisque 
in  ea  proprium  onus  portabit  et  quicunque  in  ca  corpus 
Cliristi  manducaverit  indigne,  judicium  sibi  mandueat 
ct  hihit,  quo  satis  ostendit  apostolus,  qnia  non  alteri 
numducat  sed  sibi — commuuio  malorum  non  niaculat 
aliquera  participatione  saci'amentorum,  sed  consensione 


•  Neandcr's  Kircbengcscliiclite,  Vol.  L  p.  330,  331. 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


95 


factorum.*  And  in  his  own  work  "  De  fide  et  symbolo," 
written  about  twenty  years  earlier,  be  says :  f  "  We 
helieve  that  the  church  is  hoth  holy  and  universal  (i.  e. 
one).  The  heretics,  however,  also  denominate  their  con- 
gregations churches.  But  they,  hj  entertaining  false 
views  concerning  God,  do  violence  to  the  Christian  faith : 
the  schismatics  on  the  other  hand,  although  they  agree 
with  us  in  doctrine,  forsahe  hrotherly  love  hy  creating 
pernicious  divisions^ 

It  is  easily  perceptible  how  tliis  erroneous  idea  of  the 
necessary  visible  combination  of  all  the  churches  under 
one  organization,  as  the  supposed  exclusive  channel  of 
the  divine  influence  and  favor,  would  naturally  tend  to 
facilitate  the  ultimate  adoption  of  the  Papal  liicrarchy  ; 
for  here,  and  here  alone,  in  the  holy  father,  is  to  be  found 
one  visible,  tangible  head,  adapted  to  the  one  universal 
visible  Church.  That  this  opinion,  however,  was  not 
that  of  the  apostles  or  of  the  apostolic  age,  is  confirmed 
by  the  concuiTent  testimony  of  all  writers  in  the  earlier 


*  Fuclia'  Bibliotliek  dcr  Kirchenversammlungcn,  Vol.  III.  p.  303. 
"Whoever  separates  himself  from  this  universal  church,  however 
praiseworthy  he  may  suppose  his  general  conduct  to  be,  shall  not 
ol)tain  life  on  account  of  this  mine  alone,  that  he  is  separated  from 
the  unity  of  Christ,  ljut  the  lorath  of  God  abidith  on  him.  But  who- 
ever leads  an  oxemi)lary  life  in  the  cliurch,  shall  not  be  injured  by 
the  sins  of  others,  because  in  it  (the  church)  every  one  shall  bear 
his  own  burden,  and  whoever  catcth  the  body  of  Christ  unworthily, 
shall  eat  and  drink  judgment  to  himself,  by  which  the  apostle 
clearly  shows,  that  as  he  eats  not  for  another,  but  for  himself, — it  is 
not  the  communion  with  the  wicked'  in  the  reception  of  tlui  sacra- 
iii'nts  which  contaminates  any  one,  but  his  assent  to  their  evil 
deeds." 

t  Itoc.-slcr's  liibliothek  der  Kirchuuvatcr.    \'ol.  IV.  ]>.  '21(». 


96 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


centuries.  On  this  subject  an  interesting  testimony  has 
reached  us  in  the  Apostolic  Canons,  so  called  because 
the  work  professes  to  be,  and  in  the  niain  is,  a  collection 
of  the  principal  customs  and  regulations  for  the  govern- 
ment, discipline,  etc.,  of  the  Christian  Church  during 
the  first  four  centuries  from  the  days  of  the  apostles. 
It  was  most  probably  compiled  shortly  after  the  time 
of  Augustine,  in  the  middle  of  the  fifth  ceutury,  and 
clearly  proves  that  the  exclusive  pretensions  of  the 
bishop  of  Rome  were  not  acknowledged  even  at  that 
time.    It  reads  thus : 

Canon  33.  The  hishops  of  each  nation  should  Icnow 
the  principal  one  among  them,  and  regard  him  as  their 
head  {rovq  emaKOTTovq  tKaarov  tOvovg  eidevai  XPV  ~ov  Iv  av- 
Toiq  TTpurov,  Kail  TjyEtadai  avrov  <Lg  Ke<paXT]v)  and  V7idertake 
nothing  of  importance  without  his  advice.  But  each  one 
should  himself  attend  to  what  belongs  to  his  own  church 
and  neighbourhood.  Bat  even  he  ought  to  do  nothing 
without  consultation  xoith  others  (akXa  ixrjde  eKeivog  dvev 
TTjg  ~avr(i)v  yviojirjg  ttoleito)  re).  JEfei'ein  consists  the  true 
unity  {of  the  church),  and  such  a  course  vnll  tend'  to  the 
glory  of  God  through  Jesus  Christ,  iii  the  Holy  Spirit.^^ 

In  short  it  is  well  known,  that  the  bishop  of  Eome 
did  not  obtain  even  the  title  of  universal  bishop  until, 
in  the  seventh  century,  "  Boniface  III.  engaged  Pho- 
cas  the  Grecian  Emperor,  who  waded  to  the  throne 
through  the  blood  of  Mauritius,  to  take  from  the  bishop 
of  Constantinople  the  title  of  oecumenical  or  univo'sal 
bishop,  and  to  confer  it  on  the  lioman  pontift".''  His 
dii;nity  as  a  temporal p7'ince  he  did  not  receive  till  in 
the  eighth  century,  when  the  usurper  Pepin,  in  consid- 
eration of  the  aid  allbvdod  him  by  the  pontiff  in  trca- 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTION  UNION. 


97 


-onablj  dethroning  liis  predecessor,  granted  "  the  exar- 
chate of  Eavenna,  and  Peutapolis"  to  the  Koman  pon- 
tiff, and  his  successors  in  the  pretended  apostolic  see  of 
St.  Peter.  There  can,  therefore,  be  no  question  as  to 
the  truth  of  our  position,  that  the  primitive  church  was 
iiot  united  under  one  visible  head,  such  as  the  pope  and 
])apal  hierarchy. 

Finally,  it  is  certain  that  the  unity  of  the  jprimitive 
fhurch  did  not  consist  in  absolute  unanimity  in  reli- 
gious sentiments.  This  assertion  may  appear  startling 
to  some.  "  What !"  (many  of  my  readers  may  be  ready 
to  exclaim)  "  was  there  any  diversity  of  opinion  in  the 
primitive  church,  under  apostolic  guidance  ?  We  have 
always  supposed  that  there  existed  a  perfect  agreement 
on  all  points  among  the  first  Christians,  and  that  the 
])ropor  method  to  restore  the  primitive  purity  of  the 
church  is  to  insist  on  agreement  on  all  points  from  those 
\\  \\o  would  imite  with  us  as  a  church  of  Christ."  This 
(i])inioh  has  also  prevailed  for  many  centuries,  and  has 
been  the  proiitic  mother  of  extensive  and  incalculable 
\  lis  in  the  Christian  church.  It  has  led  to  the  perse- 
1  ution  and  death  of  millions  of  om*  fellow-men  imdcr 
the  papal  dominion  ;  it  has  caused  endless  divisions  and 
cnvyings  and  strife  in  the  Protestant  churches. 

Its  fallacy,  we  think,  appears  from  the  following 
considerations : 

It  is  rendered  highly  probable  by  the  fact  that  the 
Scriptures  contain  no  provision  to  preserve  absolute 
iinijij  of  sentiment  on  all  points  of  religious  doctrine 
and  worship,  if  it  ever  had  existed.  Many  points  of 
doctrine  and  forms  which  men  at  present  regard  as  im- 
portant, are  not  decided  at  all  in  the  sacred  vobuuo. 
5 


98 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


Other  points  are  inculcated  in  indefinite  language, 
wliicli  admits  of  several  constructions.  The  diversity 
of  views  derived  from  these  records  by  the  several  re- 
ligious denominations  of  equal  piety,  of  equal  talent  and 
equal  sincerity,  indisputably  establishes  the  fact,  that 
they  do  not  contain  provision  for  absolute  unity  of  sen- 
timent among  Christians.  'Now,  as  all  admit  the  sub- 
stantial similarity  of  the  oral  instructions  of  the  apostles 
to  the  primitive  Christians,  and  their  written  instruc- 
tions in  the  sacred  volume,  it  follows  that  tlie  impres- 
sions made  on  an  audience  of  primitive  Christians  would 
be  the  same  ;  except,  perhaps,  in  the  case  of  a  few  in- 
di^dduals  who  might  have  opportunity  of  personal  inter- 
views and  more  minute  inquiry  with  tlie  apostles.  With 
the  greatest  facility  the  Author  of  our  holy  religion 
could  have  made  such  provision.  lie  did  by  inspira- 
tion endow  liis  apostles  with  every  requisite  qualification 
not  naturally  possessed  by  them,  and  led  them  into  all 
necessary  truth.  Now,  as  they  have  left  many  points 
of  doctrine  and  forms  of  worship  and  government  unde- 
cided, and  as  they  do  not  express  with  philosophical 
precision  the  doctrines  which  they  do  teach,  it  is  a  just 
inference  that  one  reason  Avhy  these  minor  dift'erences 
are  not  obviated  in  the  church,  and  all  truly  pious, 
able  and  faithful  Christians  do  not  agree  on  all  points 
is,  that  the  sacred  volume  has  not  made  provision  for 
such  absolute  unanimity.  Let  no  one  here  assert  that 
human  language  is  so  deficient,  and  the  education  and 
lial)its  of  men  so  diverse,  that  they  Avill  impose  different 
constructions  on  any  composition.  The  contrary  is  the 
case.  Even  iminspircd  men  of  well-disciplined  mind, 
have  often  expressed  their  views  on  these  topics  in  Ian- 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


99 


guage  which  is  not  misunderstood.  Is  there  any  doubt 
in  any  well  informed  mind,  as  to  the  opinions  taught  on 
the  several  topics  which  separate  the  principal  Protest- 
ant churches,  bj  Calvin  in  his  Institutes,  or  by  Whitby 
on  the  Five  Points  ?  In  regard  to  the  meaning  of  some 
Protestant  creeds  there  has  been,  it  is  true,  not  a  little 
controversy.  But  the  framers  of  these  Corifessions  de- 
signedly used  language  somewhat  generic  and  indefi- 
nite, in  order  that  persons  of  not  entirely  accordant 
sentiments  might  sign  them,  and  modern  disputants  of 
each  party  have  endeavored  to  prove  these  creeds  favor- 
able only  to  their  own  views.  Or,  j)ersons  charged 
with  deviation  from  an  adopted  creed,  and  believing 
themselves  to  adhere  to  its  general  tenor,  are  naturally 
inclined  to  interpret  its  indefinite  or  generic  terms  in 
favor  of  their  own  views,  whilst  their  opponents  pursu- 
ing a  contrary  course,  strain  those  same  expressions  as 
far  as  possible  in  a  different  direction.  But  it  will  not 
be  denied,  that  it  would  be  no  difficult  task  for  any 
■well  educated  divine  to  make,  in  a  single  octavo  page, 
such  a  statement  of  doctrines,  as  would  distinguish  any 
one  of  the  prominent  Protestant  denominations  from 
all  others — to  frame  a  creed,  concerning  whose  real 
meaning  there  would  be  no  difference  of  opinion. 
Thei'efore,  as  the  written  instructions  of  the  apostles 
and  othei"  inspired  writers  do  not  contain  provision  to 
produce  absolute  unanimity  among  the  pious  since  the 
apostolic  age,  and  as  these  very  written  in.-tructiuns 
were  addressed  to  the  primitive  Christians,  and  were 
the  only  inspired  instructions  which  many  of  them  pos- 
sessed ;  there  can  be  but  little  doubt,  that  if  a  dozen  of 
those  Christians  had  been  rccpiirod  to  state  their  views 


lOO 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL, 


on  all  the  points  of  diversity  between  Protestant  Chris- 
tians, it  would  have  been  found,  that  tlie  impressions 
then  made  by  these  books,  were  not  more  definite  than 
those  which  they  now  produce  on  the  same  points  of 
doctrine.  And  as  the  oral  teaching  of  the  apostles 
was  doubtless  substantially  the  same  as  their  recorded 
instructions,  the  impression  made  by  them  on  the  en- 
tire primitive  church  was  probably  the  same,  so  far  as 
doctrines  are  concerned ;  whilst  it  is  evident,  that  in 
regard  to  the  apostles'  mode  of  worship  and  church 
government,  there  could  have  been  but  one  opinion, 
among  those  who  had  witnessed  them  with  their  own 
eyes.  Again,  the  fact  that  the  Bible  is  not  constituted 
so  as  to  obviate  this  diversity  of  sentiment,  when  it 
might  easily  have  been  so  formed  by  the  hand  of  in- 
spiration, is  conclusive  proof  that  the  points  of  diver- 
sity among  real  and  enlightened  Christians,  are  not 
and  cannot  be  of  essential  importance. 

But  the  existence  of  diversity/  of  opinion  in  the  apos- 
tolic churches  is  pjlaced  beyond  all  possible  doubt  by  the 
express  declaration  of  the  apostle  Paul.  Knowing  that 
such  differences  would  continue  to  exist  in  after  ages, 
he  has  also  prescribed  regulations  for  our  conduct  to- 
wards those  who  may  differ  from  us:*  "Ilim  that  is 
weak  in  the  faith  (doctrines,  Jude  iii.)  receive  yo,  but 
not  (in  order)  to  (engage  in)  dispxitations  Avith  him 
about  doubtful  matters.  For  one  believeth  that  lie 
may  eat  all  things :  another,  who  is  weak,  eateth 
herbs.  Let  not  him  that  eateth,  despise  him  that  eat- 
eth not ;  and  let  not  him  that  eateth  not,  judge  him 


*  Roin.  xiv  :  1-13. 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


lOI 


that  eateth ;  for  God  hatli  received  him.  "Who  art  thou 
that  judgest  another  man's  servant  ?  To  his  own  mas- 
ter ho  standeth  or  falleth.  One  man  esteemeth  one 
day  above  anotiier ;  another  esteemeth  every  day  alike. 
Let  every  man  he  fully  persuaded  in  hla  own  mind. 
He  that  regardeth  the  da}-,  regardeth  it  to  the  Lord ; 
and  he  that  regardeth  not  the  day,  to  the  Lord  he  doth 
not  regard  it.  He  that  eateth,  eateth  to  the  Lord,  for 
he  giveth  God  thanks  ;  and  he  that  eateth  not,  to  the 
Lord  he  eateth  not,  and  giveth  God  thanks.  But  why 
dost  thou  judge  thy  brother  ?  or  why  dost  thou  set  at 
nought  thy  brother  ?  for  we  shall  all  stand  before  the 
judgment  seat  of  Christ." 

Here  then  we  have  the  express  testimony  of  the 
apostle,  that  differences  of  opinion  did  exist  among  the 
primitive  Christians  at  Rome  in  reference  to  at  least 
two  points,  the  diversity  of  meats  and  the  question 
whether  all  days  should  be  regarded  as  equally  holy, 
or  whether  tlie  Jewish  distinction  of  days  should  be  ob- 
served by  Cliristians.  Both  the  points  of  difference  are 
moreover  of  such  a  character,  relating  to  matters  of 
fact,  tangible  and  visible  in  their  nature,  that  any  regu- 
lation which  the  apostle  may  have  previously  given, 
Christians  would  be  aided  in  comprehending,  by  ob- 
serving the  example  and  practice  of  tlie  apostles  them- 
selves. Tliey  were  matters,  too,  concerning  one  of 
which  he  had  seven  years  before  expressed  his  opinion 
in  pretty  evident  language  to  the  Galatian  brethren, 
when  he  said  "  IIow  turn  ye  again  to  the  weak  and 
beggarly  elements  whereunto  ye  desire  again  to  be  in 


*  Gal. :  iv  :  10. 


I02 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


bondage  ?  Ye  obsevve  days  and  months  and  times  and 
years ;  I  am  afraid  of  yon  lest  I  have  bestowed  upon 
you  labor  in  vain."  And  bow  does  the  apostle  settle 
this  dispute  among  the  Romans  ?  IIow  does  he  intro- 
duce perfect  unity  of  sentiment  among  them  on  tliis 
point  of  Christian  duty?  It  is  worthy  of  special  ob- 
servation, that  he  does  not  even  attempt  to  induce  them 
all  to  think  alike ;  but  enjoins  on  each  one  obedience 
to  the  dictates  of  his  own  conscience,  and  on  all  absti- 
nence from  every  attempt  to  condemn  or  censure  their 
brethren  for  honest  difference  of  opinion  ;  he  enjoins  on 
all  nnitual  forbearance  and  brotherly  uiiity  !  Be  it  re- 
membered, too,  that  this  point  of  diflerence  among  the 
primitive  Christians,*  is  one,  on  which  the  declarations 
of  the  ]^ew  Testament  have  produced  pretty  general 
unanimity  among  modern  Protestant  Christians,  whilst 
it  is  a  matter  of  historical  notoriety  that  the  diversity 
on  this  very  topic  was  not  entirely  banished  from  the 
primitive  church  a  century  after  all  the  books  of  the 
New  Testament,  touching  on  the  subject,  had  been 
written. 

Again,  look  at  the  church  of  Corinth  itself,  whose 
attempts  at  division  Paul  so  decidedly  censured.  The 
apostle  explicitly  informs  us,  that  some  members  of  the 
Corinthia:i  church  dented  the  resurrection  of  the  hody. 
As  to  tha  I'eason  of  their  denial,  whether  the  leaven  of 
the  Sadducees  had  infected  them,  or  whether,  as 
Greeks,  they  were  misled  by  their  philosophy,  falsely  so 


*  According  to  the  earliest  records  extnut,  the  difference  in  the 
time  of  celebrating:  Enster  is  referred  to  the  apostles  themsclve?. 
See  Dr.  Murdock's  Mosheim,  I.  102.  lo:^,  101 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


called,  and  with  Celsus  despised  tlie  doctrine  as  "  the 
hope  of  worms,"  the  iXmg  okcjXtjkwv,  we  know  not ;  but 
for  the  fact  Paul  is  our  authoiutj.  "  How,"  he  remarks, 
"  say  some  among  you,  that  there  is  no  resurrection  of  the 
dead  f '  He  then  advances  several  aro;uments  in  favor 
of  the  doctrine,  answers  the  philosophical  objections  to 
it,  and  proves  the  fallacy  of  their  opinion  on  this  sub- 
ject ;  but  not  the  least  intimation  is  given,  that  those 
who  believe  in  the  resurrection,  should  separate  from 
those  who  denied  it.  This  doctrine  had  not,  it  is  true, 
been  so  amply  unfolded  by  any  inspired  writer  as  is 
done  by  Paul  in  his  epistle  to  these  very  men,  and  we 
are  unable  to  perceive  how  any  believer  in  the  Scrip- 
tures could  now  deny  this  doctrine.  Yet  the  fact  of 
the  resurrection,  to  say  nothing  of  the  Old  Testament, 
had  been  distinctly  affirmed  by  the  Saviour  and  his 
apostles,  as  must  have  been  known  to  tlic  Corinthians. 

It  is  therefore  absolutely  certain  that  the  bond  of 
primitive  union  Avas  not  that  of  perfect  unity  of  senti- 
ment on  religious  subjects,  even  in  the  days  of  the  apos- 
tles themselves.  That  differences  on  other  topics,  espe- 
cially on  minor  points  of  abstract  doctrine,  also  existed, 
is  evident  from  the  fact  expressly  declared,  that  some 
even  went  so  far  as  to  fall  into  fundamental  doc- 
trinal error,  such  as  to  "  deny  the  Lord  that  bought 
them."  iVow  every  rational  man  will  admit,  that  the 
progi-ess  of  the  human  mind  in  the  fluctuation  of  opin- 
ions is  gradual,  and  that  whore  the  extremes  occurred, 
the  intermediate  gradations  most  probably  existed. 
It  seems  almost  impossible  for  u  mind  elevate<l  l)iit  a 
single  grade  above  savageis.m,  when,  fur  example,  the 
doctrine  was  taught  that  Chi'ist  nuide  an  atonement  fur 


104 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


sinners,  not  to  advert  to  the  persons  for  wlioin  tliis 
atonement  was  made,  and  to  understand  the  declar- 
ations of  tlie  gospel  as  teaching,  that  it  was  made  for 
somebody,  either  for  all  men,  or  for  a  portion  of  man- 
kind. But  although  we  have  no  reason  to  imagine  that 
the  same  books  which  are  differently  understood  by 
modern  Chi'istians,  could  have  produced  absolute  unity 
of  opinion  among  them,  we  find  no  certain  t)-aces  of 
dissension  about  points  of  abstract  doctrine.  As  these 
abstract  ditierences  had  no  perceptible  influence  on 
Chi'istian  practice,  the  primitive  CIu*istians  probably 
did  not  even  compare  their  views  on  many  points  of 
modern  controversy,  and  may  have  difiered  on  some 
minor  topics  without  knowing  it.  Yet  on  some  points 
they  differed  and  discussed  ;  but  Paul  dissuades  them 
from  indulging  in  "doubtful  disputations."* 

Having  thus,  as  we  suppose,  satisfactorily  ascertained 
that  the  bond  of  union  among  the  apostolic  churches 
did  not  comisi  in  a  compact  ecclesiastical  organization  of 
the  entire  church  in  any  nation  or  country  under  one  su- 
preme judicatory ;  nor  in  the  organization  of  the  ivhole 
church  on  earth  under  one  visible  head,  such  as  the  pope  and 
papal  hierarchy ;  and  finally,  that  it  did  not  consist  in 
absolute  unanimity  of  religious  sentiment ;  it  remains  for 
us  to  inquire  into  the  positive  elements  which  did  com- 
pose it.  Whilst  each  congregation  transacted  its  ordi- 
nary business  of  government  and  discipline  for  itself, 


*  Rom.  xiv  :  1.  Him  that  ia  weak  in  tlic  faith  (who  has  not  fully 
apprehondcd  all  the  Christian  doctrines)  receive  ye,  but  not  to 
doubtful  disputations  (jifi  f(f  diaKq'iacic;  diakoyionC)v,  without  deciding 
ou  his  scruples). 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


105 


and  constituted  as  it  were  one  member  of  tlie  body  of 
Christ,  what  were  the  ties  by  which  these  several  mem- 
bers were  united  together,  and  by  \vhich  the  spirit  of 
brotlierlj  love  was  preserved  among  them  i 

"We  here  pre-suppose  the  prevalence  among  the  prim- 
itive Christians  of  that  unitv  of  spirit,  which  gave 

I.IFI-:  AND  VALUE  TO  ALL  THE  EXTERNAL  FORMS  OF  UNION. 

Without  this,  the  church,  even  if  externally  bound  to- 
gether by  a  bond  of  iron,  would  be  a  lifeless  trunk  des- 
titute of  that  pervading  spirit  that  gives  interest  and 
animation  to  the  whole.  But  on  this  subject  we  are 
not  permitted  to  cherish  a  moment's  doubt.  We  are 
expressly  told  by  Luke,  in  his  Acts  of  the  Apostles  :* 
"  And  the  muUilude  of  them  that  believed,  tcere  of  one  heart 
and  of  one  soid."  Then  it  was  that  the  disciples  contin- 
ued "  with  one  accord,  breaking  bread  from  houte  to 
house,  and  did  eat  their  meat  with  gladness  and  with 
singleness  of  heart,  praising  God  and  having  favor  with 
the  people."t  It  is  this  unity  of  spirit,  this  undissera- 
bled  brotherly  love,  cherished  in  their  bosoms  and  man- 
ifested in  their  conduct  towards  each  other,  which  in- 
vested the  example  of  the  primitive  church  with  such 
an  omnipotence  uf  moral  influence,  and  extorted  from 
the  surrounding  heathen  themselves  the  exclamation : 
"  See  how  these  Christians  love  one  another."  But 
our  object  at  this  time  is  to  ascertain  what  wore  the 
principal  external  means  of  manifesting  and  pei-petu- 
ating  this  unity  of  spirit  among  the  primitive  Christian 
churches. 

I.  The  firet  means  of  imion  was  entire  unity  of  name : 


*  Acts  iv :  33. 
5* 


t  ActB  ii :  40. 


io6 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


tliat  is,  the  careful  avoidance  of  all  names,  wliieli  im- 
plied difference  or  division.  In  the  apostolic  age,  the 
followers  of  the  Redeemer  were  technically  called 
Christians,  and  only  Christians.  The  churches  in  dif- 
ferent places  were  distinguished  by  geographical  desig- 
nations, and  bj'  these  alone.  We  read  of  the  church  at 
Jerusalem,  the  church  at  Corinth,  the  church  at  Rome, 
etc.,  but  not  of  the  Pauline  or  Apolline  or  Cephine 
church,  nor  of  a  church  named  after  any  other  person 
})ut  Him,  who  bought  the  church — not  a  part  of  the 
church,  but  the  whole  church,  with  his  blood.  Let  it 
not  be  supposed  that  this  is  an  unimportant  feature  of 
Christian  union.  Paul  the  apostle  did  not  thus  regard 
it,  when  he  so  promptly  met  and  repelled  the  attempt 
of  those  at  Corinth,  who  adopted  such  sectarian  names, 
saying,  "  I  am  of  Paul  and  I  am  of  Apollos  and  I  am 
of  Cephas."  He  expressly  forbade  their  adoption  of 
such  names,  declaring  that  by  so  doing  they  implied, 
that  their  adopted  leaders  had  died  for  them,  and  that 
they  had  been  baptized  into  their  names.  The  senti- 
me :.ts  of  the  church,  d  u-ing  the  earlier  centuries,  may 
be  learned  from  the  declaration  of  Lactantius  at  the 
commencement  of  the  fourth  century :  "  The  Monta- 
nists,  Novatians,  Yalentinians,  or  whatever  else  they 
may  call  themselves,  have  ceased  to  be  Christians,  be- 
cause they  have  renounced  the  name  of  Christians,  and 
called  themselves  by  the  names  of  men."  (Instit.  div. 
1.  IV.  c.  30.)  This  estimate  of  tlie  importance  of  unity 
of  name,  is  doubtless  overwrought;  yet  the  influence 
of  different  names  is  far  from  being  unimportant  at 
present.  "  Names  are  things,"  said  that  distinguished 
and  laborious  servant  of  Christ,  the  Rev.  Dr.  A.  Green, 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


107 


when  on  assuming  the  editorial  chair  of  "  The  Presbyte- 
rian Magazine,"  he  changed  its  title  to  Christian  Ad- 
vocate. His  reasons  for  this  alteration  he  thus  assio-ns  : 
"We  usually  form  some  judgment  of  a  puhlication 
from  its  title  ;  and,  indeed,  it  is  for  this  very  pm-pose 
that  a  title  is  given.  Xow  on  hearing  of  a  Presbylerian 
Magazine,  some,  it  appears,  have  set  it  down  at  once  as  a 
sectarian  work,  of  which  the  main  and  ultimate  design 
would  be  to  diffuse  and  defend  the  doctrines  and  opin- 
ions which  are  peculiar  to  the  Presbyterians,  and  on 
this  account  they  have  resolved  to  give  it  no  encom*- 
agement."  What  is  here  acknowledged  of  the  term 
Presbyterian,  is  equally  true  of  every  other  sectarian 
name  of  Christian  churches.  Whilst  it  is  conceded 
that  the  substitution  of  geographical  for  sectarian  names 
could  not  remove  the  whole  difficulty,  it  is  equally  cer- 
tain that  it  would  not  be  without  its  influence.  Even 
Celsus,  the  bitter  foe  of  Christians,  Avhen  charging  on 
them  as  criminal  the  differences  on  non-essentials  which 
prevailed  among  them  in  his  day,  was  compelled  to  ac- 
knowledge iis  one  bond  of  union  among  them,  their 
lailtij  of  wime.  Thousands  of  enlightened,  true  Chris- 
tians of  different  denominations  differ  only  in  name. 
And  thousands  there  are  among  the  more  ignorant,  who 
exhibit  much  acerbity  of  spirit  against  other  sects,  and 
l^rcpossession  for  their  own,  and  yet  ai'c  ignorant  of  all 
the  points  of  distinction  between  them  except  {\\e  names. 

The  second  bond  of  union  among  the  primitive 
churches,  was  iinilij  of  oj)inion  on  all  fundamenlal  doc- 
trines thai  is,  the  profession  of  a  creed  of  fundamentals. 
That  the  primitive  Christians,  notwithstanding  their 
minor  diderences,  did  agree  on  all  fundaiiicntal  doc- 


io8 


FRATERNAL  ArrEAL. 


trines,  is  evident,  because  tliej  possessed  either  the 
oral  instruction  of  the  apostles,  or  the  same  sacred  I'ec- 
ords  of  them  which  have  produced  such  nnitj  in  fun- 
damentals among  modern  Christians.  This  is  presiip- 
posed  by  the  apostle's  injunction,  "eai'nestly  to  contend 
for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints ;"  foi',  before 
they  could  contend  for  the  faith,  they  must  have  a 
general  understanding  among  them  at  least  as  to  what 
the  fundamentals  of  that  faith  are,  for  they  were  also 
commanded  to  abstain  from  "  doubtful  disputations," 
and  not  "  to  judge"  their  brethren  for  minor  differ- 
ences. It  is  finally  proved  by  the  fact,  that  they  re- 
quired of  every  candidate  for  baptism  a  profession  of 
his  creed  of  faith  prior  to  the  administration  of  the  or- 
dinance :  "  If  thou  believesf  (said  Philip  to  the  eunuch) 
"  luith  all  thine  heart,  thou  mayest  he  hapizeid.  And  he  an- 
sivered  and  said,  I  believe  thai  Jesus  Christ  is  the  So7i  of 
God.''''^  The  custom  of  requiring  of  all  applicants  for 
baptism  a  confession  of  their  faith  in  the  fundamentals 
of  the  gospel,  seems  to  have  been  general  throughout 
the  whole  church.  For  among  the  earlier  documents 
of  Christian  antiquity  that  have  readied  us,  there  is 
one  which,  by  the  concurrent  testimony  of  the  Christian 
fathers,  is  an  authentic  substantial  collection  of  the  sev- 
eral points  of  doctrine  to  which  this  assent  was  required 
from  the  century  after  the  apostles,  we  mean  tlie  so- 
called  Apostles'  Creed.  This  creed  is  highly  interesting 
and  important,  especially  to  modern  Clu-istians ;  first, 
because  it  shows  what  the  primitive  church  universally 
understood  the  Scriptures  to  teach  ;  and  secondly,  be- 


*  Acts  viii :  37.    See  also  Rom.  xii :  6.    2  Tim.  i :  14.    Jude  v :  3. 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


109 


cause  it  incontestablj  establishes  the  fact,  that  the 
primitive  church,  when  guided  by  the  inspired  apos- 
tles, and  soon  after,  deemed  it  lawful  to  require  unanimity 
only  in  fundamental  doctrines  in  order  to  the  unity  of  the 
church.  This  creed,  let  it  be  further  remembered,  was 
the  only  one  which  was  adopted  in  the  church  of  Christ 
until  the  fourth  century,  in  which  the  council  of  JSTice 
adopted  one  of  the  same  import,  and  of  but  little 
greater  length.  Some  small  variations  are  found  in  the 
earliest  copies,  but  substantially  it  reads  thus:*/Z»6- 


*The  earliest  copies  of  this  symbol  are  in  the  Latin  language. 
There  are  several  various  readings  extant,  which  probably  origin- 
ated in  different  Western  churches,  which  used  this  symbol.  We 
shall  give  the  symbol,  together  with  the  various  readings  in  paren- 
theses, so  that  the  reader  may  at  one  glance  see  the  whole,  and  also 
perceive  that  even  with  the  added  variations,  it  was  still  a  creed 
which  all  orthodox  Protestants  can  subscribe  : 

I.  Credo  in  (unum)  Deum,  Patrem  omnipotcntcm  creatorem  coeli 
et  terrae  ("  creatorem  coeli  et  terrce  "  defuit  in  orient,  et  Rom.  antique 
symbolo ;  in  Aquilejensi  autem  positum  erat,  "  invidbilem  et  iinpas- 
sibilem.") 

II.  Et  in  Jesum  Christum  filium  ejus  unicum,  Dominum  nostrum, 
("et  in  unum  Dominum  nostrum,  Jesum  Christum,  filium  ejus  uni- 
gcnitum,"  ita  addendo  et  transponendo  legit  olim  Ecclesia  orien- 
talis.)  Quiconceptus  est  de  Spiritu  sancto  ;  natns  ex  Maria  virgine 
('•qui  natuscst  do  Spiritu  sancto  ox  Maria  virgine"  communis  olim 
lectio  erat.)  Passus  sub  Pontio  Pilato,  crucifixus,  mortuus  et  sepul- 
tu8,  descendit  ad  infcrna  ;  (  '  crucifixus  sub  Pontio  Pilato  et  sepultus" 
Bimpliciter  olim  multi  Icgebant ;  Aquilojenso  tandem  symbolum 
addidit  "  descendit  ad  infcrna  ;"  ex  quo  symbolo  Sec.  VI.  Romana 
ecclesia  hanc  appondicem  suo  symbolo  insoruit)  t(?rtia  dio  rosurrcxit 
a  mortals  ;  asccndit  ad  coelos  ;  sedut  ad  dtixtnim  Dei  Patris  omnipo- 
tentia.    Inde  venturus  est  judicaco  vivos  et  mortuos. 

III.  Credo  in  sjjiritum  sanctum  {et  in  spiritum  sanctum"  olim), 
Sauctam  ("  wnaw"  orientales  addiderunt)  Erclcsinni  ("atliolicam  ; 
eauctorum  communionem.  "catholicam,  ex  sanctorum  communio- 


1 10 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


li&ve  in  God  the  Father  Almighty,  the  Maker  of  heaven 
and  earth : 

And  in  Jesus  Christ,  his  onlij  Son  our  Lm^d  j  who 
was  conceived  hy  the  Holy  Ghost,  horn  of  the  vit'gin 
Mary,  suffered  under  Pontius  Pilate,  was  crucified, 
dead  and  hurled.  The  third  day  he  rose  from  the 
dead,  he  ascended  into  heaven,  and  sitteth  on  ths  right 
hand  of  God  the  Father  Almighty,  from  thence  he  shall 
come  to  judge  the  gu  ide  and  the  dead. 

Ihelieve  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  holy  catholic)  or  uni- 


neni"  ex  Niceno  forsan  symbolo  insertum,  olim  defuit),  Remissio- 
nem  peccatorum  ;  Carnis  (hujus  symb.  Aquilej.  addidit)  resurrectio- 
nera  ;  et  vitam  aeternam.  Amen.  ("  vitam  aetemam"  in  plerisque 
olim  symbolis  desiderabatur.)  See  Clemm's  Einlcitung  in  die  Reli- 
gion und  Theologie,  Vol.  IV.,  p.  459. 

Gieseler,  iu  his  history,  period  K.,  AD.  117  -  193.  remarks,  "  In 
opposition  to  the  bold  speculations  of  the  Gnostics,  the  orthodox 
church  was  now  led  to  establish  a  rcgula  fidei  or  rule  of  faith,  com- 
prehending the  doctrines  which  could  be  shown,  in  the  conscious- 
ness of  all  Christians,  as  well  as  the  writings  of  the  apostles,  to  bo 
the  basis  of  Christianity;  and  which  being  themselves  beyond  all 
farther  discussion,  were  to  be  distinctly  recognized  in  all  future 
speculations.  To  correspond  with  this,  the  originally  simple  condi- 
tions of  the  baptismal  profession  (crv/jjSolov)  were  now  extended  ; 
though  the  form  was  always  lengthened  or  shortened  to  suit  the 
particular  views  of  different  churches."  In  his  note,  he  adds,  6 
Kavuv  LKKltjai  aauKoc  Clemens.  Alex.  Strom.  VL,  p.  803  ;  u  kuvuv  tti^ 
ay.rj^Eiar,  Iren.  i.  1.  in  fine.  This  rule  of  faith  was  therefore  not  a 
fixed  rule  handed  down  from  the  apostles,  (conf  Tcrtull.  do  prescrip. 
c.  13.  llxc  regula  a  Christo,  ut  probabitur  iustituta ;  c.  21,  omnis 
doctrina  quam  ccclesitc  ab  Apoatolis,  Apostoli  a  Christo,  Christus  a- 
Deo  acce])it ;  c.  37,  regula  quam  ocdesia  ab  Apo,stolis,  Apostoli  a 
Christo,  Cliristus  a  Deo  tradidit )  nor  was  its  authority  jilaced  above 
that  of  the  Scriptures,  as  asserted  first  by  Lessing,  and  later  by 
D(!hbriifk,  in  "  Philip  Malancthoii  der  (■ilaubenslehrer,"  Bonn  1826; 
p.  17, 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


versaT)  church  /  the  communion  of  saints  y  the  forgive- 
nsss  of  sins  ;  the  resurrection  of  the  hody^  and  the  life 
everlasting. 

To  tliis,  some  copies  add  the  sentence  "  descended 
into  hades,  or  the  place  of  departed  spirits  ;"  but  it 
was  not  found  in  the  creed  of  the  Latin  churches,  until 
the  sixth  century.  Here  then  we  have  the  series  of 
doctrines,  the  belief  of  wliich  was  the  bond  of  union  in 
the  church  of  Christ  during  three  hundred  years  ;  and 
was  regarded  as  sufficient  for  ecclesiastical  union,  with- 
out any  inquiry  as  to  differences  on  minor  points.  All 
who  adojited  these  doctrines  and  adorned  them  by  a 
consistent  walk,  were  regarded  as  worthy  members 
of  the  one,  universal  church  of  Christ,  were  everywhere 
admitted  to  sacramental  communion  by  right.  All 
professing  these  doctrines,  and  residing  in  the  same 
place,  were  united  into  one. church,  and  worshipped  to- 
gether; and  different  Christian  churches,  occupying 
the  same  geographical  gi'ound,  and  distinguished  from 
each  other  by  differences  concerning  doctrines  not  con- 
tained in  this  creed,  had  no  existence  in  the  church  for 
several  centuries :  were  totally  unknown  during  the 
golden  age  of  Christianity.  To  this  summary  of  doc- 
trine some  few  articles  were  added  in  after  ages  by  dif- 
ferent councils,  to  meet  several  fundamental  heresies 
which  arose.  But  the  additions  arc  few,  and  generally 
composed  with  studious  brevity.  In  reference  to  these 
doctrines,  which  he  had  just  before  expressed  in  his 
own  language,  Irenaeus,  a  strcjmous  defender  of  the 
faith  against  various  heretics,  a  disciple  of  Polycarp, 
the  friend  of  the  apostle  John,  makes  the  following  re- 
marks (ivlucli  are  fquaUy  ajqjUcablc  to  the  several  orlJiodox 


112 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


Protestant  churches,  though  they  are  so  lamentably  di- 
vided) :  "  Tliis  faith  the  church  has  received,  and  though 
dispersed  over  the  whole  world,  assiduously  preserves 
as  if  she  inhabited  a  single  house ;  and  believes  in 
these  things  as  having  but  one  heart  and  one  soul :  and 
with  perfect  harmonj'  proclaims,  teaches,  hands  down 
these  things,  as  though  she  had  but  one  mouth.  For 
though  there  are  various  and  dissimilar  languages  in  the 
world,  yet  the  power  of  the  fiitli  transmitted  is  one  and 
the  same.  Neither  the  churches  in  Germany^  nor  in 
Iberia  [Spain),  nor  among  the  Celiac  (in  France),  nor  in 
the  East,  nor  in  Eg)"pt,  nor  in  Lybia,  nor  in  the  middle 
regions  of  the  world  (Jerusalem  and  the  adjacent  dis- 
tricts) believe  or  teach  any  other  doctrines.  But  as  the 
sun  is  one  and  the  same  throughout  the  whole ;  so  the 
preaching  of  the  truth  shines  everywhere,  and  enlight- 
ens all  men,  who  are  willing  to  come  to  a  knowledge 
of  truth.  Nor  will  the  most  powerful  in  speech  among 
the  governors  of  the  churches  say  any  thing  more  than 
these  (for  no  one  can  be  above  his  master) ;  nor  the 
most  feeble  any  thing  less.  For  as  there  is  but  one 
faith,  he  that  is  able  to  speak  much  cannot  enlarge ; 
nor  he  who  can  say  little  diminish  it."* 

In  the  earlier  part  of  the  fourth  century  (A.D.  325) 
the  Nicene  creed  was  adopted  in  order  to  exclude  the 
Arians  from  the  church.  It  is  little  else  than  a  repeti- 
tion of  the  apostles'  creed,  with  several  clauses  refer- 
ring to  the  error  of  the  Arians.  The  synod  of  Con- 
stantinople, about  fifty -six  years  afterwards  (A.D.  381), 


Irenaeus  adv.  haereses,  L.  L  c.  3.  p.  46.  ek.  Qrabe;  and  Mason's 
riea,  p.  41. 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


still  further  enlarged  this  summary,  by  the  addition  of 
several  clauses  concerning  the  worship  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  the  validity  of  baptism,  etc.  This  creed,  as  en- 
larged by  the  synod  of  Ccnstantinople,  is  contained  in 
the  s}Tnbols  of  the  Lutheran  church  in  Europe,  and  also 
iu  the  Prayer  Book  of  our  Protestant  Episcopal  breth- 
ren ill  this  country.    It  reads  thus  : 

"  I  believe  in  one  God,  the  Father  Almighty,  Maker 
of  heaven  and  earth,  and  of  all  things  visible  and  in- 
visible. 

"And  in  one  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  only  begotten 
Son  of  God,  begotten  of  liis  Father  before  all  worlds ; 
God  of  God,  Light  of  Light,  true  God  of  the  true  God, 
begotten  not  made,  being  of  one  substance  with  the 
Father,  by  whom  all  things  were  made ;  who  for  us 
men  and  for  our  salvation,  came  down  from  heaven  and 
was  incarnate  by  the  Holy  Ghost  of  the  virgin  Mary, 
and  was  made  man  and  was  crucified  also  for  us  under 
Pontius  Pilate.  He  sufi'ered  and  was  buried,  and  the 
thii-d  day  he  rose  again,  according  to  the  Scriptures, 
and  ascended  into  heaven,  and  sitteth  on  the  right  hand 
of  the  Father :  and  he  shall  come  again  with  glory  to 
judge  botli  the  quick  and  the  dead;  whose  kingdom 
shall  have  no  end, 

"And  I  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  Lord  and 
Giver  of  life,  who  proccedeth  from  the  Father  and  the 
Son,  who  with  the  Father  and  tlie  Son  together  is  wor- 
shipped and  glorified,  who  spake  by  the  prophets.  And 
I  believe  in  one  catholic  and  apostolic  church.  I  ac- 
knowledge one  baptism  for  the  remission  of  sins ;  and  I 


114 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


look  for  the  resurrection  of  tlie  dead  and  the  life  of  the 
world  to  come."" 

These  symbols,  let  it  be  remembered,  vre  adduce  not 
for  the  purpose  of  proving  the  doctrines  contained  in 
them  (a  point  to  be  established  only  by  the  Scriptures) 
but  in  order  to  establish  two  facts  highly  important  to 
om*  inquiry,  viz  :  1,  that  the  early  Christians  did  require 
assent  to  certain  articles  of  Clu-istian  faith ;  and  2,  that 
these  articles,  to  which  assent  was  demanded,  were  only 
fundamental  doctrines  and  facts  of  the  Christian  reli- 
gion. 

It  is  thus  evident  that  rmiti/  of  opinion  on  funda- 
mental doctrines,  and  on  those  alone,  constituted  one  of 
the  principal  bonds  of  union  among  churches  in  the 
eai'ly  ages.  It  is  moreover  clear,  as  the  several  ortho- 
dox Protestant  churches  of  our  land  cordially  embrace 
all  the  doctrines  enumerated  by  Irenaeus  and  the  Apos- 
tles' and  the  Xicene  creeds,  that  they  ought  not,  on  the 
principles  of  primitive  Christianity,  to  be  cut  up  into 
different  sects,  but  should  be  united  into  one  universal 


*  The  following  is  the  Greek  original  of  the  Niccne  Creed,  as 
preserved  in  the  History  of  Socrates,  L.  I.  c.  8.  By  a  comparison  of 
it  with  the  above  version,  the  reader  may  distinguish  the  additions 
made  by  the  council  of  Constantinople. 

TliGTevoiiev  clg  ha  Qcov,  irarepa  TravTOKpoTopa,  rravTuv  upmuv  re  Kai 
aoparuv  TroirjTjjv.  Kai  ci^  tva  Kvpwv  Irjaovv  Xpiarov,  tuv  vlov  tov  Qeov, 
yevvijOevra  Ik  tov  UaTpug  povoyevT),  tovt'  lartv  Ik  r^f  ovaiac  tov  TlaTpof;, 
Qeov  Ik  Oeov  km  <pu^  Ik  ^urof,  Oeov  tD^rjOivov  Ik  Qeov  uXt)Oivov,  ysvvijOiv-a 
ou  TTOtrjdevTa,  d/ioovaiov  ti.>  Ilarpt,  6i  ov  ra  Travra  iyevero,  ra  -s  (v  7u  oi- 
pav(j,  Kai  ra  Iv  ti)  ■)'rj,  81  i/jia^  uvdpuKov^,  Kai  6ia  tt/v  {//lerepav  ourtjQiav 
KaTc?kdovra  Kai  aapKudevra  Kai  evavdgujrriaavTa  naOovra  Kai  uvaaravra  tt) 
TQiTt]  finepa,  uvekOovTa  fif  rouf  oipavov^,  IpxofiEvov  Kptvai  fwvTQf  Kai  ve- 
KDOUf.    Kai  c'lr  TO  uyiov  TTvev/ia. 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNIOX. 


church.  But  instead  of  all  the  Protestant  churches 
embracina:  one  common  creed  of  fundamentals,  and 
holding  it  up  to  the  view  of  the  world  as  the  SA-rabol  of 
their  unity  in  the  faith,  as  Christians  did  in  the  earlier 
ages  at  every  case  of  baptism,  the  use  of  different 
creeds  naturally  inculcates  the  idea  of  doctrinal  difter- 
ence,  instead  of  unity ;  and  their  great  length,  by 
bringing  to  light  all  the  minor  differences,  and  ranking 
them  indiscriminately  with  fundamentals,  and  making 
them  the  bases  of  separate  churches,  inevitably  must 
tend  to  throw  into  the  shade  our  real  fundamental 
union,  and  perpetuate  the  schisms  in  the  body  of 
Christ. 

The  third  bond  of  union  among  the  primitive  Chris- 
tians wiis  the  mutual  acknowledrjment  of  each  otheis  ads 
of  discijdine.  If  an  individual  was  excommunicated  or 
under  censure  in  one  church,  he  could  not  obtain  ad- 
mission into  any  other.  As  a  security  against  imposi- 
tion, it  was  customary  for  persons  in  good  standing, 
when  travelling  into  strange  places,  to  take  letters  of 


The  above  was  the  original  fonn  of  the  creed,  and  contains  all  that 
catechumens  were  required  to  repeat  as  thciY  confession.  The  follow- 
ing clause  was,  however,  added  by  the  Niceno  fathers,  and  all  minis- 
ters were  r('quir(!d  also  to  subscribe  to  it :  Totf  (5e  Xeyovrac  in  i,v  -ore 
uTi  uvK  J/V,  Kat  TT^iT/v  :ytvvrj0^vai  oik  t/v,  km  vti  ovK  uvruv  tyevero,  7/  ii  e-e- 
Ifar  vTzoijTaseur  7)  ovrjiac  (paoKOvre^  eivai,  1)  kqiotov,  j)  tqetztov,  y  ul7oiuT'tv 
Tov  vhiv  Tov  Oeov,  ni'aOf/iariZei  1/  uyia  koOo/iki/  koi  a-ocToliurj  eKK'/j/rjio, 
1.  P.  The  holy,  catliolic,  and  aposii'lic  church  condemns  (the  ojjiniou 
of)  those  who  say  that  there  was  a  time  when  the  Son  of  God  did 
not  exist,  and  tliat  before  he  was  begotten  he  did  not  exist,  and  that 
he  was  made  out  of  things  that  were  not,  or  who  say  that  he  is  of 
some  other  hypostasis  or  substance,  or  that  ho  was  created,  or  that 
he  is  changeable,  suljject  to  variation.  See  Clemtn's  Einloitung  in 
die  Hi'ligion  uiid  Theologii",  Vol.  IV.  p.  4()l-'r). 


Ii6 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL, 


introduction,  or  certificates  of  their  good  standing  from 
their  pastor.  "When  any  one  was  destitute  of  such  cer- 
tificate, his  application  for  chnrcli  privileges  was  always 
rejected.  To  these  letters  Paul  refers,  and  expresses 
the  opinion,  that  he  would  need  no  such  document 
among  the  Corinthians,  as  he  was  well  known  to  them  : 
"  Need  we,  as  some  others,  epistles  of  commendallon  to 
you,  or  letters  of  commendation  from  you  ?  Ye  are  our 
epistle,  WTitten  in  our  hearts,  known  and  read  of  all 
men."''^  This  same  custom  was  prescribed  in  the 
chm'ch  for  centuries,  and  nmnerous  synodical  decrees 
were  enacted  for  its  confirmation.  In  the  apostolic 
Canons  or  Eegulations  we  find  the  following : 

Canon  12.  tl<;  KArjpiKO^  ?/  XaiKog  d(j)(jjptaiievo^,  r]roL  aSeK- 
Tog,  CLTreXOoiv  elq  erepa  ttoaei,  S^^ff^]  nvev  ypafifiartjv  ovarari- 
Koiv,  a.<popi^i:aO(i)  km  6  de^afievog  icat  b  dexdeig.''^  That  this  re- 
gulation prevailed  from  the  very  days  of  the  apostles,  is 
highly  probable,  because,  as  we  have  seen,  Paul  himself 
makes  mention  of  letters  of  this  nature.  At  the  oecu- 
menical or  general  council  held  at  J^ice,  in  the  year 
A.D.  325,  at  which  were  present  ministers  from  the 
greater  part  of  the  Christian  world,  the  following  reso- 
lution, or  canon,  was  adopted  : 

Hesolution  or  Canon  5.  In  regard  to  tJwse  persons, 
whetJier  clergymen  w  laymen,  who  have  heen  excommu- 
nicated by  a  hishoj),  the  existmg  7'ule  is  to  he  retained, 


*  3  Cor.  iii:  1-4. 
f  If  any  excom  municated  clergyman  or  a  layman  wJiohas  been  ex- 
covimunicated,  or  denied  adinisdon  (as  ineinber  of  the  church),  go  to 
another  city  and  is  received  itithout  letters  of  recommcndntion,  both 
he  who  received  him,  and  the  person  thus  received  shall  he  excommu- 
nicated. 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


117 


namely,  that  they  shall  not  he  restored  by  any  other  than 
hy  the  one  xoho  excommunicated  them.  Inquiry  ought, 
however,  to  he  instituted,  tohether  their  expulsion  from 
tJie  church  was  not  occasioned  hy  a  contentious  spirit 
or  some  other  mean  or  hostile  passion.  And  in  order 
that  this  may  he  properly  done,  there  shall  annually  he 
two  synods  held  in  each  province,  and  at  these  meetings 
of  the  hishops  suitable  examinations  shall  he  instituted, 
in  order  that  every  person  may  see  the  justice  of  the  ex- 
communication of  those  who  transgressed  against  (the 
regulations  of)  the  hishop,  until  the  assemblage  of  hish- 
ops shall,  if  they  see  fit,  pronounce  a  milder  sentence. 
One  of  those  sy nodical  meetings  shall  he  held  before  the 
spring  fast,  iJie  other  in  the  fall''' 

At  the  council  or  synod  of  Antioch,  held  in  A.D.  311, 
sixteen  years  after  that  at  i^^ice,  a  resolution  of  just  the 
came  import  was  passed  : 

Resolution  C.  If  any  person  has  been  excommuni- 
cated hj  his  hiahop,  he  shall  not  be  restored  hy  any  one 
else  than  that  bishop  himself,  unless  his  case  has  been 
examined  by  the  council  or  synod,  and  a  milder  sen- 
tence been  obtained.  This  regulation  shall  be  appli- 
cable alike  P)  laymen,  presbyters,  deacons,  and  all  the 
clergy. \ 

From  these  testimonies  it  is  ahundantly  evident,  that 
the  churches  in  the  earlier  centuries  fully  acknowledged 
the  disciplinarian  acts  of  each  other;  nor  is  it  difficult 
to  perceive  the  salutary  influence  which  would  result 
from  such  mutual  marks  of  confidence.    Carried  to  a 


*  Fuchs'  Bil)liotbek  der  Kirclicnvorfiammlnnfion,  Vol.  I.  p.  395. 
t  Fuchs'  Bibliothek  dor  Kircliouversamiulungcn,  Vol.  II.,  p.  62. 


ii8 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


reasonable  extent,  they  would  give  an  eflScacy  to  clinrch 
discipline,  which  it  has  almost  entirely  lost  in  modem 
times.  This  regulation  Avonld  cherish  brotherly  love 
between  the  churches,  and  tend  to  give  visibility  to 
their  union. 

The  fourtli  T)ond  of  union  among  the  primitive 
Christiam  was  sacramental  and  ministerial  com- 
munion. This  featm'e  is  one  of  very  extensive  appli- 
cation and  most  salutary  influence  on  tho  different  por- 
tions of  the  Christian  Church.  The  apostle  Paul  may 
be  regarded  as  inculcating  it  in  his  declaration  to  the 
Christians  at  Corinth ;  "  For  we  heing  many^  are  one 
bread  and  one  hody  (that  is,  you  at  Corinth,  I  and  my 
fellow-Christians  here  at  Ephesus,  fi-om  the  midst  of 
whom  I  am  addressing  you,  are  one  body) ;  for  we  are 
all  partakers  of  that  one  hreadP*  Accordingly  we 
find  that  in  the  earliest  period  to  which  the  records  of 
Christian  antiquity  extend,  every  church  received  to 
communion,  as  fully  as  its  own  members,  the  members 
and  ministers  of  every  other  acknowledged  Christian 
Church  on  earth,  upon  evidence  of  their  good  standing. 
Strangers  coming  from  other  churches  were  required  to 
present  letters  or  certificates  of  their  standing  ;  and  all 
Cliristians,  whether  clergy  or  laymen,  regarded  it  as  a 
duty  to  commune  with  the  members  of  any  other  church 
at  which  they  might  happen  to  be  present.  It  was  a 
common  custom  for  Christians  in  the  earlier  centuries, 
when  travelling,  to  take  sucli  certificates  of  mombershij) 
with  tliem  ;  and  wlien  stopping  in  a  city  or  town,  they 
sought  out  the  Christians  living  in  it,  and  received  from 


»  1  Cor.  10  :  17. 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


119 


them  every  mark  of  attention  and  friendship.  These 
letters  were  termed  Uterae  formatae  or  ypamia-a 
rerv-wiieva,  as  they  were  of  a  particular  form  to  pi*e- 
vent  counterfeits ;  they  were  sometimes  denominated 
epistolae  communicator iae^  or  ypaiifiara  fcotvo)viKa,  letters 
of  ecclesiastical  communion  or  fellowship.  * 

The  broad  principle  of  scriptural  Christian  com- 
munion extends  indiscriminately  to  all  whom  we  regard 
as  true  disciples  of  Christ.  Thus  it  is  laid  down  by 
Peter  in  his  vindication,  when  censured  for  communing 
with  Gentile  converts :  "  Thou  wentest  in  to  men  uncir- 
cumcised  and  didst  eat  with  them."  f  His  argument  is 
thus  summed  up,  after  he  had  detailed  the  facts  on 
which  it  rested :  "  Forasmxich  as  God  gave  them  the 
nice  gift.,  as  he  did  unto  us,  who  believed  on  the  Lord 
Jesus  Christ  /  what  was  /,  that  I  could  withstand 
God?'' 

It  is  equally  certain  that  ministerial  communion  and 
official  acknowledgment  pervaded  the  church  in  her 
primitive  ages.  The  regulations  made  by  difterent 
synods  or  councils  to  prevent  the  abuse  of  this  privilege 
incontestibly  establisli  its  existence.  But  even  in  the 
apostolic  canons  we  find  the  following : 

Canon  32.  M;;(Jeva  twv  ^evcov  tmaKonuv  7)  TtpeafivTtpov 
■q  6iaKov(ov  dvev  avarariKUv  ~poa6ex£o0ai '  Kai  ercKpepoixe- 
V(jjv  avrojv  dvaKpiveaOuaav  •  ■  mi  iijisv  uai  KTjpvKt  g  ev- 
atfina^  —poadE^eaOioaav  •   kI  rfe  fxeye,  tt]v  xp^^av  avrov<;  tT<- 


*  Ncandcr's  Allpcmeine  Qcscliichte  der  Christlichen  Religion  und 
Kirche,  Vol.  I.,  p.  320. 

f  Acts  11  :  3,  17. 


120 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


XopT]yr]aavreq,  eig  Kaivwviav  avrovg  [it]  -poqde^EaOe  •  7ToXX.a 
yap  Kara  avvap-dyrjv  yiverai* 

At  the  synod  of  Carthage,  held  a.  d.  348  or  349,  it 
"was  resolved  that  "  no  one  shall  receive  a  minister  with- 
out letters  from  his  hisJiop.^''  f 

If  furnished  with  suitable  testimonials  a  minister  in 
one  part  of  the  church  "was  ackno"wledged  as  such  in 
every  other,  and  if  present  at  public  "worship  "was  or- 
dinarily invited  to  take  part  in  conducting  the  ser- 
vices. 

The  tendency  "which  such  free  sacramental  inter- 
communion as  opportunity  offers,  "with  all  over  the 
Avhole  earth  "who  present  credible  evidence  of  genuine 
discipleship,  cannot  readily  be  calculated.  The  views 
and  principles  and  feelings  which  it  pre-supposes,  con- 
stitute important  elements  of  the  millennial  imion  of 
the  future  church,  God  grant  their  speedy  dissemina- 
tion over  the  church  universal  I 

The  fifth  means  by  which  unity  was  promoted  and 
preserved  among  the  ])rimitive  Christians,  was  occasional 
epistolary  communication.  Of  this  foct  we  have  abun- 
dant proof  in  the  epistles  of  Clement,  Polycarp,  Ignatius 
and  BaiTiabas,  who  are  termed  apostolic  fathers,  because 


*  Let  no  one  receive  strange  (foreign)  bishops  or  presbyters  or 
deacons  without  letters  of  recommendation  ;  and  the  letters  that  arc 
broupht  must  be  examined.  If  they  prove  to  be  pious  preachers 
(preachers  of  |)iety)  let  them  be  received :  but  if  they  do  not,  th^ir 
immediate  necessities  should  be  supplied,  but  they  must  not  be  re- 
CL'ived  into  communion.  For  many  instances  of  fraud  have  occurred 
in  this  matter."  Roessler's  Bibliothek  der  Kirchenviiter,  Vol.,  IV., 
p.  240. 

f  Fuchs'  Bibliothek  der  Kirchenversammlungen,  Vol.  111.,  p.  35. 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


121 


tliey  lived  partly  in  the  apostolic  age.  Some  of  these 
pistles  are  doubtless  spurious  and  all  corrupted,  yet 
enough  remains  to  answer  the  purpose  for  which  we 
adduce  them,  to  show  that  they  were  letters  written  to 
different  churches  to  promote  doctrinal  and  ecclesiastical 
union  among  them.  The  age  immediately  subsequent 
to  the  apostles  furnishes  numerous  instances  of  such 
(  pistolary  communion  of  the  churches.  From  Eusebius 
v/e  learn  that  Dionysius  of  Corinth  about  the  year  a.  d. 
100,  sent  abroad  numerous  epistles  of  tliis  kind.  "  And 
first  (sajs  Eusebius*)  we  must  speak  of  Dionysius,  who 
was  appointed  over  the  church  at  Corinth,  and  imparted 
freely  not  only  to  his  own  jieople,  but  to  others  abroad 
also,  the  blessings  of  lus  divine  labors.  But  he  was 
most  useful  to  all  in  the  general  epistles  which  he  ad- 
dressed to  the  churches.  One  of  them  is  addressed  to 
the  Lacedaemonians,  and  contains  instructions  in  the 
true  relirjion,  and  inculcates  jy'eace  and  unity  ;  one  also 
to  the  Athenians,  exciting  them  to  the  faith  and  tlie  life 
prescribed  by  the  gospel,  from  wliich  he  shows  that  they 
had  swer^'ed,  so  that  they  had  nearly  fallen  from  the 
truth  since  the  martyrdom  of  Publius,  their  leader 
(bishop)  which  happened  in  the  persecutions  of  those 


*  Eusebius  IV.  ch.  23.  Kai  npCirov  ye  izepl  ^lovva'iov  ^ariov  •  5rt 
Tf  T;/f  Iv  KoQLvOi.)  TTapoiKiac  Ti'/c  Int^KOTTi/c  lyKexe'iQiaTO  Opivov,  iial  ur 
T^f  tvOtov  i^i?.o~ov'ia^  oil  fiovov  Toic  vtt'  avTov,  a/.?.'  7/(^7)  koI  rate  iiri  Ti'/r 
d?^?.odaTTt',f  u<ptl6vu)C  tKoivuvei '  xploifinTarov  u-aaiv  iavTov  Kadiarar,  iv 
oif  vTTmTToi'TO  KaOo7.LKni<;  npni;  ruf  {KK?.jimac  tTHOTo'/.ai^'  uv  tariv,  ii  fiiv 
Kph(  \aKeflat/iovtov^,  oQOoio^lar  KaTf/xl/TiKTi,  ei(fr/vTir  re  koI  ivuatuc  v:to- 
OtTiKT)  ■  {/  fit  TTpi/f  '\nt]vacovc,  dciyfpTiKTi  niariua  Kal  Ti}a  KorurO  einyyeTi- 
lov  ■jnliTtia^  •  ;/f  d?.tyupriadvTaa  ITicyxel,  ev  fiinpov  6eiv  dnoaravTac 
ToD  Xoyov,  ovirfp  tov  TrpoearCiTa  airHv  Uovn'kov  ii  :grvQi}aai  Kara  roi'f 
roTK  ovvrjlf)  /iKoyrioi<i. 

6 


122 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


times."  The  necessity  of  sucli  letters  as  means  of  Chris- 
tian instruction,  is  at  present  superseded  by  the  universal 
dissemination  of  the  holy  Scriptures  ;  yet  as  bonds  of 
Christian  union,  they  may  still  be  occasionally  resorted 
to  with  the  happiest  results,  especially  between  Chris- 
tians of  distant  countries  as  a  substitute  for  personal  in- 
tercoui'se.  We  cannot  but  commend  the  epistle  of  the 
venerable  Dr.  Planck  of  Germany,  to  the  General 
Synod  of  the  Lutheran  Church  in  this  country,  as  also 
the  epistles  of  the  Congregational  and  Presbyterian 
Churches  of  the  United  States  to  the  Christians  of  the 
same  denomination  in  Europe.  Still,  all  these  epistles 
bear  on  their  front  the  badge  of  schism  ;  for  they  were 
addressed  by  particular  sects  of  Christians,  not  to  Chris- 
tians of  another  country  generally,  but  only  to  Christians 
of  the  same  sect.  They  are  epistles  from  followers  of 
Paul  and  Apollos  in  one  land,  to  disciples  of  the  same 
leaders  in  another.  So  completely  has  sectarianism 
separated  the  several  denominations,  that  by  many  it  is 
regarded  immodest  to  address  any  others  than  those  of 
their  own  sect.  Instead  of  that  community  of  interest 
between  all  the  members  of  Christ's  body,  which  the 
apostle  inculcates,  "  so  that  all  the  members  should  have 
the  same  care  one  for  another,  and  whether  one  member 
suffer,  all  the  members  suffer  with  it ;  "  *  sectarianism 
has  taught  each  member  of  the  body  to  stand  aloof  from 
tlie  others,  has  taught  them  by  no  means  to  have  the 
same  care  ojie  for  another ! !  " 

The  last  bond  of  primitive  union  M'as  the  occasional 
consultation  of  different  churches  by  representatives 


*  1  Cor.  12 :  26. 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION.  1 23 


convened  in  a  council  or  synod.  This  means  of  pro- 
moting imity  among  Christians  was  for  several  reasons 
not  very  frequently  resorted  to  in  the  apostolic  age. 
The  continual  jom-neys  of  the  apostles  tended  in  a  meas- 
ure to  answer  the  same  purpose.  How  often  councils 
for  mutual  consultation  were  held,  prior  to  that  at 
Eome,  mentioned  by  Eusebius,  we  know  not ;  but  the 
principle  being  sanctioned  by  the  apostolic  example, 
Acts  XV.,  the  chmx'h  should  apply  it  just  as  extensively 
as  is  found  to  promote  the  spirit  of  imion,  bi'otherly 
love  and  order  among  Christians.  As,  however,  neither 
Christ  nor  his  apostles  have  appointed  such  lodies  as 
courts  of  judicature  or  appeal,  it  is  probable,  that 
whatever  business  of  tliis  kind  is  referred  to  the  more 
extensive  judicatories,  their  decisions  should  be  regarded 
mainly  as  advisory,  and  should  have  no  other  force  than 
results  from  the  evidence  alleged  in  support  of  the 
opinion  given.  The  danger  of  such  General  Synods, 
Assemblies,  or  Conventions,  arises  not  so  much  from 
the  number  of  churches  represented  in  them,  as  from 
the  groat  nuniber  of  the  delegates,  from  the  degree  of 
power  conferred  on  them  by  the  elementary  members 
of  Christ's  body,  tlic  individual  churches ;  and  from  the 
amount  of  actual  husiness  which  is  tranff erred  from, 
the  churclies  in  their  elementary  capacity,  to  these  judi- 
catories. If  the  delegation  be  small,  so  that  the  whole 
body  will  not  be  unwieldy ;  if  the  business  transacted 
be  not  such  as  pro])crly  belongs  to  the  individual 
churches ;  if  it  relate  only  to  the  general  interests  of  the 
church  ;  and  if  the  powers  of  the  body  be  only  advisory, 
this  principle  of  mutual  consultation  might  to  a  certain 
extent  be  safely  employed. 


124 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


Post-Apostolic,  External  Bonds  of  Union. 

Having  thus  discussed  tlie  nature  and  extent  of  the 
nnity  of  the  Christian  Church  during  the  lifetime  of  the 
Apostles,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  add  a  few  words  on  the 
additional  bonds  of  external  union,  which  were  added 
in  dift'erent  ages,  after  those  devoted  servants  of  Christ 
had  been  removed  to  the  upper  sanctuary.  For  it  is 
undeniable  that  externally  the  Church  of  Christ  was 
more  compactly  bound  together  during  a  thousand 
years  bufure  the  Reformation  of  the  16th  century,  than 
it  had  been  in  the  first  three  centuries  of  its  existence. 

Of  course  those  som*ces  of  spiritual  union,  which  were 
operative  in  the  apostolic  era,  such  as  oneness  or  same- 
ness of  our  holy  calling,  of  our  spiritual  blessings,  of  our 
living,  justifjnng  faith,  must  continue  in  all  after-times, 
*is  they  belong  to  the  essentials  of  Christianity  itself. 
The  same  is  true  of  the  several  outward  manifestations 
and  means  of  union,  such  as  one  baptism,  one  faith  in 
the  triune  God,  Father,  Son  and  Holy  Ghost,  then  pro- 
fessed by  all  at  baptism,  a  creed  or  faith  subsequently 
developed  into  the  so-called  Apostles'  Creed.  Indeed, 
we  suppose  this  unanimous  jpublio  and  frequent  profes- 
sion of  the  oecumenical  Creeds  of  fundamentals,  by  all 
the  churches  in  all  lands,  together  with  free  sacramen- 
tal communion  between  all  in  good  standing,  contrib- 
uted more  in  all  ages  than  any  other  one  external  means, 
to  preserve  and  manifest  the  unity  of  all  belie\'ers. 

Ihit  in  the  progress  of  the  Cliui-ch  through  successive 
centuries  and  over  distant  lands,  some  external  bonds 
were  added,  unknown  in  the  apostolic  age,  which  con- 
ferred on  the  Church  the  aspect  of  greater  outward 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


125 


unity ;  althougli  it  is  a  subject  of  uncertainty  and  dis- 
pute, whether  they  advanced  the  best  interests  of  the 
kingdom  of  Christ,  whether  they  increased  or  diminished 
true  unity  of  spirit.  The  majority  of  these  innovations 
in  the  external  organization  of  the  Church  are  regarded 
by  Protestants  in  Europe  and  America  as  injurious,  as 
de\'iations  from  the  inspired  model  of  Church  goveini- 
ment  found  in  the  New  Testament.  Certain  it  is,  that 
without  some  of  them,  Popery  could  never  have  had  an 
existence.  What  then  are  these  additional  external 
bonds  ? 

Councils  or  Synods  and  Diocesan  Episcopacy  present 
themselves  _^rs^,  in  the  order  of  time.  The  term  "  bishop" 
(im(T«on-o{-)  is  doubtless  found  in  the  New  Testament  to 
designate  an  officer  in  the  primitive  Chui-ch ;  but  that 
officer  was  the  ordinary  minister  of  a  parish,  who  is  also 
Bomctimcs  termed  "  elder  "  {-npealiO-Tipog).  The  iden- 
tity of  these  terms  as  to  import  is  evident  from  a  cam- 
parison  of  Acts  xx.  17  and  28 ;  Titns  i.  5  and  7;  where 
the  same  persons  arc  designated  by  both  names.  Hence, 
all  our  ministei-s  are  bishops  in  the  New  Testament 
sense,  and  might  probably  with  some  advantage  to  the 
mere  English  reader  of  Scripture,  still  be  called  so. 
But  about  the  close  of  the  second  century,  the  bishops 
in  cities  and  lai-ger  towns,  acquired  a  control  over  those 
in  the  surrounding  coimtry,  which  impaiitj'  continued 
to  grow  until  it  in^nclied  diocesan  episcopacy,  and 
abridged  the  ])riinilivc  rights  both  of  the  laity  and 
the  ordinary  ministers.  jN'ow  it  is  contended,  that  the 
influence  and  control  of  each  bishop,  and  in  later  times, 
Btill  more  of  the  metropolitans  and  the  patriarchs, 
tended  to  unite  more  closely  the  several  churches  and 


126 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


ministers  of  eacli  diocese.  But  whilst  tliis  may  be  ad- 
mitted, so  far  as  outward  union  is  concerned,  it  is  clear 
that  its  influence  was  limited  to  the  diocese,  and  thus 
the  churches  of  dilferent  dioceses  or  patriarchates  were 
less  connected  with  each  other  than  before. 

Simultaneously  with  the  rise  of  episcopacy,  and  in 
some  places,  a  few  years  before  it.  Christians,  both  niin- 
isters  and  laymen,  feeling  the  necessity  of  mutual  con- 
sultation, began  to  hold  Conventions  or  Synods  in  par- 
ticular emergencies,  such  as  the  controversies  concern- 
ing the  time  of  Easter,  and  concerning  Montanism, 
about  the  year  a.  d.  150;  and  stated  meetings  with 
delegates  for  consultation  on  the  conmion  interests  of 
the  churches  were  held,  especially  in  Greece,  about  a.  d. 
200,  as  described  by  Tertulhan  (De  Jejunus,  c.  13). 
That  these  syuodical  conventions,  if  properly  conducted, 
would  exert  a  powei-ful  influence  in  cementing  together 
those  who  attend  them,  and  thus  promote  both  the  in- 
ternal and  external  unity  of  the  church,  is  undeniable. 
Hence,  they  soon  became  popular,  although  they  were 
less  frequent  after  the  union  of  church  and  state. 
But  then  the  emperors,  on  special  occasions,  convened 
larger  and  general  councils,  and  enfoi"'';ed  their  enact- 
ments. 

The  third  external  bond  for  the  unity  of  the  Chris- 
tian Church,  was  the  Union  of  Church  and  State  by 
Constantine  and  his  successors,  beginning  about  the 
year  a.  d.  312,  concerning  which  indefinite  views  are 
entertained  by  the  great  mass  of  readers.  This  union 
was  not,  as  is  often  supposed,  eflected  suddenly,  by  a 
single  edict  or  imperial  decree.  It  was  the  result  of 
successive  laws  in  favor  of  Christianity. 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


127 


The  first  was  the  edict  of  toleration,  issued  a.  d.  312, 
which  secured  unrestricted  liberty  to  both  heathen,  and 
Christians  throughout  the  empire,  to  worship  God  ac- 
cording to  their  own  conscientious  convictions,  as  well 
as  entire  liberty  to  all,  to  change  their  religion  and 
adopt  that  which  they  pi'eferred. 

Another  law,  enacted,  as  Sozomen  supposes,  in  the 
year  a.  d.  313,  others  a.  d.  321,  forbade  the  desecration. 
c)f  the  Lord's  day  or  Christian  Sabbath,  by  secular  labor 
or  business  of  the  civil  courts,  excepting  only  cases  of 
necessity  and  the  liberation  of  slaves. 

A  tliird  exempted  Christian  ministers  from  the 
liability  to  be  called  on  to  act  as  civil  officers,  or  per- 
form civil  services. 

A  fourth^  issued  a.  d.  321,  authorized  all*  men  to 
bequeath  to  the  Christian  Church,  any  and  as  much 
property  as  they  pleased. 

A  fifth  law,  of  a.  d.  323,  made  it  a  high  penal  offence, 
punishable  by  corporal  chastisement  or  a  heavy  fine,  to 
coerce  a  professor  of  Christianity  to  participate  in  any 
heathen  sacrifices.  And 

A  sixth  excluded  all  who  sei)aratcd  from  the  Chris- 
tian Church,  thus  patronized  by  the  government,  from 
all  the  privileges  and  immunities  granted  to  it, 

A  seventh  ordered  considerable  sums  to  be  paid  from 
the  State  treasury,  for  tlie  support  of  the  Christian 
ministers  in  Africa. •^^ 

It  must  be  evident,  tliat  such  an  intimate  union  be- 
tween Church  and  State,  causing  the  ministry  to  be 


*  EuHchitis'  Hist.  EcdcKiiintica,  x.  (!,  and  Manso's  Life  of  Constuii- 
tlno  the  Great,  p.  97. 


128 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


dependent  on  the  civil  government  for  their  permanence 
and  favor,  and  making  it  the  interest  of  every  minister 
to  support  the  civil  government,  would,  by  the  mutual 
self-interest  of  both  parties,  form  such  a  bond  of  external 
union  of  the  Chm'ch  throughout  the  whole  nation,  that 
the  unity  of  the  church  would  be  just  as  secure  and  last- 
ing as  that  of  the  government  itself.  Yea,  dynasty 
might  succeed  dynasty,  and  one  revolution  follow  an- 
other in  the  nation  ;  it  would  always  be  to  the  interest 
of  the  successfid  party  to  protect  and  favor  the  priests 
on  account  of  their  influence  over  the  people,  and  the 
interest  of  the  priests  to  sustain  the  existing  govern- 
ment, from  which  they  derived  their  protection  and 
safety. 

But  it  must  be  equally  evident  that  the  dependence 
of  the  church  for  security  on  the  smiles  of  civil  officers, 
very  many  of  whom  were  strangers  to  piety,  instead  of 
on  her  Almighty  Head,  who  promised  to  bs  with  her 
always,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world,  must  have  been, 
as  history  informs  us  it  was,  highly  detrimental  to  her 
spirituality.  Bishops  and  patriarchs  appeared  in  com- 
pany with  the  civil  dignitaries  at  court,  and  on  all 
special  public  occasions.  This  inspired  them  with  a 
fondness  for  the  pomp  and  splendor  which  they  wit- 
nessed around  them ;  and  to  please  those  dignitaries, 
they  introduced  them  in  their  own  public  exercises. 
From  this  time  clerical  vestments  became  more  fashion- 
able ;  and  the  example  of  the  higher  clergy  could  not 
fail  to  exert  an  inlluence  throughout  the  church  gener- 
ally. This  union,  deleterious  as  it  often  proved  to  the 
s])iritual  interests  of  the  church,  was  IVaught  with  so 
many  external  advantages  to  both  parties,  that  it  was 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION. 


129 


perpetuated,  not  only  to  the  time  of  tlie  Reformation, 
in  the  sixteenth  century,  but  with  various  important 
improvements,  luitil  the  pi'csent  day  in  Europe. 

The  fourth  and  last,  and  most  deleterious  external 
bond  of  union,  was  the  Papacy,  which  entwined  itself 
as  a  net-work  around  all  the  nations  of  Europe  and  by 
making  common  cause  with  emperors,  kings  and  nobles, 
succeeded  by  the  aid  of  the  civil  governments  and  the 
terrors  of  the  bloody  Inquisition,  in  suppressing  all  at- 
tempts at  reformation  or  separation  from  her  pale,  until 
God  raised  up  the  intrepid  reformers  of  the  sixteenth 
century. 

From  these  statements  it  is  evident  that  all  those  ad- 
ditional external  bonds  of  union,  adopted  throughout 
the  history  of  the  church  in  after  ages,  are  mere  matters 
of  human  expediency,  which  the  church  is  bound  to 
retain  or  reject,  as  experience  may  have  proved  them 
useful  or  the  contrary.  Of  this  kind  are  Stated  Synods, 
Diocesan  bishops,  Written  Creeds  beyond  the  Bible ; 
Sectarian  Creeds,  that  is.  Creeds  based  on  diversities 
of  views  among  acknowledged  Christians ;  the  Union 
of  Church  and  State,  that  is  the  surrender  by  the 
church  to  the  civil  government  of  certain  rights  and 
duties,  enjoined  on  her  by  the  Saviour  and  His  apostles. 
It  is,  therefore,  proper  for  believers  in  every  age  and 
land,  to  examine  these  external  additions,  which  have 
been  adopted  in  the  progress  of  the  church  over  the 
earth,  and  to  retain  what  the  Master  has  ajiproved  by 
His  divine  blessing,  to  aniend  what  seems  to  be  de- 
fective, and  utterly  to  reject  what  is  radically  wrong 
and  inconsistent  with  the  lx!st  interests  of  the  llcdoem- 
cr's  kingdom.  The  discussion  of  these  subjects,  in  the 
6* 


I30 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


Spirit  of  Christ,  is  therefore  the  sacred  duty  of  those 
disciples  of  the  Master,  whose  situation  affords  them 
the  necessary  infonnation  and  oppoi'tunity.  Otherwise, 
how  could  we  justify  the  course  of  Luther  and  liis 
worthy  coadjutors,  by  Avhom  the  whole  frame-work  of 
Komanism  was  reviewed  and  condemned,  whilst  the 
Church  itself  was  rescued  from  the  depths  of  corruption 
and  superstition,  and  restored  in  a  great  measure  to  her 
primitive  purity  ? 

The  discussions  on  the  subject  of  Christian  Union, 
the  various  propositions  for  the  external  union  of  the 
several  homogeneous  denominations,  which  have  but 
little  doctrinal  difference,  and  nothing  in  their  modes 
of  government  to  divide  them,  augur  favorably  for  the 
cause  of  our  blessed  Redeemer.  They  will  promote 
spiritual  as  well  as  external  union  in  the  body  of  Christ, 
and  tend  to  enlighten  the  minds  of  many  simjjle,  be- 
nighted individuals,  who  honestly  believe  that  the  whole 
framework  of  their  denominational  oi'ganization,  with 
all  its  peculiarities,  was  verily  introduced  and  com- 
manded by  the  Saviour  and  his  apostles  themselves. 
Only  let  truth,  and  not  victory,  be  the  object  aimed  at ; 
and  the  spirit  of  Christ,  as  well  as  a  siucei'e  desire  for 
the  spiritual  unity  of  the  church,  universally  direct  the 
discussions. 

"We  have  thus  endeavoi'ed  faithfully  to  exhibit  the 
features  which  constituted  the  unity  of  the  primitive 
church.  Let  us  now  pursue  the  subject  further,  deduce 
the  i)riuciples  furnished  by  these  facts,  and  finally  de- 
velope  a  ])laii  to  restore  the  unity  of  the  body  of  Christ 
on  the  same  a])oRtolic  principles  which  constituted  it  in 
the  primitive  ages;  a  consunnnation  which  ought  to  be 


PRIMITIVE  CHRISTIAN  UNION.  I3I 

devoutly  wished  for  by  every  disciple  of  that  Saviour 
who  so  earnestly  prayed  for  the  union  of  his  followers ; 
an  object  so  dear  to  tlie  heart  of  the  noble-minded  Cal- 
vin, that  to  accomplish  it  he  says  :  "  xls  to  myself ^  were 
I  nicely  to  he  of  any  service,  I  would  not  hesitate,  were 
it  necessary,  fur  sucJi  a  jpxivpose,  to  cross  ten  scas.^^ 
(Quantum  ad  me  attinet  siquis  mei  usus  fore  videbitur, 
ne  decem  quidem,  maria,  si  opus  sit,  ob  eam  rem  traji- 
cere  pigeat.    Calvin's  Ej^ist.,  p.  61.) 


CHAPTEE  III. 


OBIGIN'   OF  THE  PEOTESTAifT  CHUKCnES,  A^sD   CAUSES  OF 
STRIPE  AilOXa  TIIESr. 

AVhixst  contemplating  tlie  cliurcli  of  the  Redeemer 
from  the  time  when  the  Master  tabernacled  in  the 
flesh,  to  the  present  day,  we  are,  as  was  formerly  re- 
marked, forcibly  struck  by  the  contrast  between  her 
manifest  spiritual  unity  in  the  earlier  centuries,  her 
closer  and  increasing  external  organic  connection  diar- 
ing  one  thousand  years,  especially  under  the  papacy ; 
and  then  the  multitude  of  her  external  divisions  since 
the  Eeformation.  During  the  earliest  period,  the 
great  mass  of  the  orthodox  Christian  community  on 
earth  constituted  one  universal  or  catholic  spiritual 
church;  excepting  only  several  comparatively  small 
clusters  of  Christians,  such  as  the  Donatists  and  IS'ova- 
tians.  During  the  second  period,  the  visible  church 
was  held  together  in  ignorance,  superstition,  and  cor- 
ruption, by  the  terrors  of  the  Romish  Inquisition  and 
other  papal  bonds  of  union.  Now,  the  purest  portion 
of  God's  heritage,  the  Protestant  world,  is  cleft  into  a 
multitude  of  parties,  each  claiming  superior  i)urity, 
each  maintaining  a  separate  ecclesiastical  organization 
on  the  basis  of  doctrinal  diversity.  The  separation  of 
the  Protestants  from  the  Papal  hierarchy  was  an  insu- 
j)erable  duty ;  for  Rome  had  poisoned  the  fountains  of 


STRIFE  AMONG  PROTESTANT  CilURCIIES.      1 33 


truth  by  her  corruptious,  and  death  or  a  refusal  to 
drink  from  her  cup  was  the  only  alternative.  "  Baby- 
lon, the  great,  was  fallen"  under  the  divine  displeasure, 
and  "  the  voice  from  heaven  "  must  be  obeyed,  "  Come 
out  of  her,  my  people,  that  ye  be  not  partakers  of  her 
sins,  and  that  ye  receive  not  her  plagues.'^'  But  that 
the  Protestants  themselves  should  afterwards  sepai-ate 
from  each  other ;  should  break  communion  with  those 
whom  they  professed  to  regard  as  brethren,  was  incon- 
sistent with  the  practice  of  the  apostolic  church,  and, 
at  least  in  the  extent  to  which  it  was  carried,  and  the 
principle  on  which  it  was  based,  detrimental  to  the  in- 
terests of  the  Christian  cause.  But  it  must  not  be  for- 
gotten that  the  position  thus  assumed  was,  so  far  as  its 
ulterior  results  are  concerned,  rather  adventitious  than 
designed.  The  Protestant  churclies  struggled  into  ex- 
istence amid  circumstances  of  excitement,  oppression 
and  agitation,  both  civil  and  ecclesiastical.  This  state 
of  things  was  liighly  unpropitious  alike  to  tlie  forma- 
tion of  perfect  views  of  church  polity  in  theory,  and 
their  introduction  in  practice.  The  Reformation  itself 
could  not  have  been  effected,  unless  aided  by  the  civil 
ann,  which  j)rotectcd  its  agents  from  jiapal  vengeance. 
A  total  exclusion  of  the  civil  authorities  from  ecclesi- 
astical action  would  probably  have  blasted  the  Eeform- 
ation  in  the  bud;  even  if  the  views  of  the  earlier  lie- 
formers  had  led  them  to  desire  such  exclusion.  Owing 
partly  to  these  circumstance's,  and  partly  to  the  reuiains 
of  papal  bigotry  still  adhering  to  them,  the  Protestants 
in  ditfereut  countries  successively  assumed  organiza- 


*  Rev.  xviii :  3, 4. 


134 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


tions  not  only  entii'ely  separate,  as  in  some  respects 
they  properly  miglit  be,  but  having  little  reference  to 
the  church  as  a  lohole,  and  calcnlated  to  cast  into  the 
back  ground  the  fundamental  unity  which  actually  ex- 
ists between  them.  Without  entering  into  a  detail  of 
their  origin,  it  may  not  be  amiss,  in  v^iew  of  the  popu- 
lar reader,  to  advert  to  the  successive  dates  of  their 
formation. 

The  Lictheran  church  grew  up  with  the  Reformation 
itself,  which  commenced  in  1517.  The  early  history  of 
the  one,  in  Germany,  Denmark,  Prussia,  Sweden  and 
Norway  also  describes  the  origin  of  the  other.  The 
commencement  of  the  church  may  be  dated,  either 
from  1520,  when  Luther  renounced  his  allegiance  to 
popery,  by  committing  the  emblems  of  papal  power, 
the  bulls  and  canons,  to  the  flames ;  or,  more  properly,  it 
may  be  fixed  at  1530,  when  the  reformers  presented 
their  confession  of  faith  to  the  emperor  and  diet  at 
Augsburg.  It  is  to  be  regretted,  that  this  eldest  branch 
of  the  Protestant  church  subsequently  accepted  a  secta- 
rian name.  They  thus  fostered  excessive  reverence  for 
the  opinions  of  an  illustrious  yet  fixllible  servant  of  God, 
and  erecting  them  into  a  standard  of  orthodoxy,  made 
his  doctrinal  attainments  the  ne  plus  ultra  of  ecclesias- 
tical reform.  For,  the  church  being  termed  Lutheran, 
it  was  a  very  popular  argument,  which  bigots  did  not 
fail  to  Avield,  that  he  who  rejected  any  of  Luther's  opin- 
ions was  untrue  to  the  church  which  bore  his  name. 
Had  the  generic  designation  at  .first  assumed  been  ad- 
hered to,  and  only  genei'ic  principles  been  adopted  for 
the  organization  of  the  church,  tlie  work  of  I'cforma- 
tion  might  have  l)ecn  gradually  advanced  until  every 


STRIFE  AMONG  PROTESTANT  CHURCHES.  I35 


vestige  of  popery  was  obliterated,  without  hurling  the 
charge  of  unfaithfulness  at  any  one.  Yet,  it  is  but  jus- 
tice to  that  distinq-uished  servant  of  God  to  add,  tbat 
the  name  was  given  to  his  followers  by  his  enemies  in 
derision,  whilst  he  protested  against  it  with  his  accus- 
tomed energy.  "I  beg  (said  lie)  that  men  would  ab- 
stain from  using  my  name,  and  would  caU  themselves 
not  Lutherans,  but  Christians.  "What  is  Luther  ?  My 
doctrine  is  not  mine.  Neither  was  I  crucified  for  any 
one.  Paul  would  not  suffer  Christians  to  be  called 
after  hira,  nor  Peter,  but  after  Chi-ist  (1  Cor.  iii :  4,  5). 
Why  should  it  happen  to  me,  poor  corruptible  food  of 
worms,  that  the  disciples  of  Christ  should  be  called  after 
my  abominable  name?  Be  it  not  so,  beloved  friends, 
but  let  us  extirpate  party  names,  and  be  called  Chris- 
tians ;  for  it  is  the  doctrine  of  Christ  that  we  teach." 

The  German  lief oi^mcd  church  was  next  established, 
through  the  agency  of  that  distinguished  servant  of 
Christ,  Zwingli.  lie  commenced  his  public  efforts  as  a 
Kefurmer  in  1519,  by  opposing  the  sale  of  indulgences 
by  the  Romish  agent  Sampson.  In  1531  a  permanent 
religious  peace  was  made  in  Switzerland,  securing  mu- 
tual toleration  both  to  the  Reformed  and  to  the  Cath- 
olics, and  thus  stability  was  given  to  tliis  portion  of  the 
Protestant  church. 

The  Episcopal  church  may  be  dated  from  1533,  when 
'Henry  VIII.  renounced  his  allegiance  to  the  pope,  and 
Bcparatod  the  church  of  England  from  the  ])apal  see ; 
although  the  work  of  actually  reforming  this  church 
■was  accomplished  at  a  later  date. 

The  modern  Baptist  church  may  be  referred  to  the 
year  1535,  when  Menno  Sinum  commenced  his  career; 
or  to  1536,  when  it  was  regularly  organized. 


136 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


The  CalvmistiG  or  Presbyterian  cJmrch,  using  the 
phrase  to  designate  the  church  established  by  Calvin 
himself,  inay  be  dated  at  1536,  when  he  was  appointed 
minister  at  Geneva,  or  more  properly  at  15i2,  when  he 
established  tlie  presbytery  there. 

The  Presbyterian  church  in  England,  Scotland  and 
America  may  be  regarded  as  a  continuation  of  the 
church  founded  by  this  eminent  servant  of  God. 

The  Congregational  or  Independent  chtcrch  may  be 
dated  from  1616,  when  the  first  Independent  or  Con- 
gregational church  was  organized  in  England  by  Mr. 
Jacob. 

The  modern  Moravian  church  or  church  of  the 
United  Brethren  may  be  regarded  as  originating  in 
1727,  Avhen  Count  Zinzendorf  and  Baron  Waterville 
were  selected  as  directors  of  the  fraternity.  The  Con- 
gregational, Moravian  and  Baptist  churches  trace  their 
origin  to  Christian  communities  prior  to  the  Reforma- 
tion. But  our  design  is  merely  to  enumerate  the  dates 
of  the  existing  most  extensive  Protestant  denominations ; 
in  doing  whicli,  we  have  selected  the  earliest  iJeriods, 
in  order  that  readers  of  no  particular  church  might  dis- 
sent or  feel  aggrieved. 

The  oi'igin  of  the  Methodist  church  may  be  traced  to 
1729,  when  its  honored  founder,  Mr.  John  "Wesley,  and 
Mr.  Morgan  commenced  their  meetings  for  the  prac- 
tical study  of  the  sacred  volume. 

Numerous  other  denominations  of  minor  extent  are 
found  among  us,  whose  principles  coincide  more  or  less 
with  those  of  the  churches  here  specified.  All  these 
together  constitute  the  aggregate  body  of  Protestants, 
and  are  the  great  mass  of  the  visible  church  of  the  Ive- 


STRIFE  AMONG  PROTESTANT  CHURCHES. 


deemer,  engaged  in  promoting  his  mediatorial  reign  on 
earth,  and  owned  by  his  Spirit's  blessing. 

Causes  of  sectarian  strife  lyetween  the  different  branches 
of  the  Protestant  church. 

In  continental  Europe  the  sectarian  principle  is  not 
exhibited  in  its  full  development.  There,  either  the 
Lutheran  or  Reformed  church  and,  in  some  instances, 
both  are  established  by  law ;  and  the  number  of  dis- 
senters, where  any  exist,  is  very  small. In  England, 
where  a  greater  amonnt  of  liberty  is  enjoyed,  and  the 
press  is  unshackled,  dissenters  from  the  established 
church  are  far  more  numerous.  But  it  is  only  in  these 
United  States,  where  Christianity  has  been  divorced 
from  the  civil  government,  and  restored  to  its  primitive 
dependence  on  its  own  moral  power,  that  all  sects  are 
on  pel-feet  equality,  and  the  natural  tendency  of  secta- 
rianism is  witnessed  in  its  full  latitude.  The  separa- 
tion between  church  and  state  is  worthy  of  all  praise, 
and  demands  our  warmest  gratitude  to  Heaven.  It 
has  restored  the  American  Protestant  church  to  the 
original  advantages  of  the  golden  age  of  Christianity  in 
the  apostolic  days.  In  tliis  land  of  refuge  for  oppressed 
Europe,  God  has  placed  his  ])eople  in  circumstances 
most  auspicious  for  the  gradual  "  i)erfecting''  of  his 
visible  kiugdoui.  Here  we  are  enabled,  unencumbered 
by  entangling  alliances  with  civil  government,  to  re- 


*  During  the  last  tliirty  years  tbo  olxstaclcB  to  tho  estaljlislimcut 
of  dissenting  churches  hnvo  been  in  a  great  degree  removed,  and 
both  the  Methodists  and  Baptists  have  established  a  number  of 
churches  in  Germany  and  Sweden. 


138 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


view  tlie  liistoiy  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom  for  eight- 
een hundred  years,  to  trace  the  rise  and  progress  of 
error  in  all  its  forms,  to  witness  the  etfeets  of  every  dif- 
ferent measure,  and  by  a  species  of  experimental  eclec- 
ticism, rejecting  every  thing  injurious,  to  combine  all 
that  has  proved  advantageous,  and  incorporate  it  in  the 
structure  and  relations  of  the  Protestant  church.  And 
lias  not  God,  in  his  providence,  called  us  to  this  work  ? 
Has  he  not,  by  our  peculiar  situation,  imposed  on  us 
this  obligation?  Ought  not  every  man,  be  he  minister 
or  layman,  who  wields  some  influence  in  any  Christian 
denomination,  strive  to  rise  to  the  level  of  this  sublime 
undei'taking,  and  inquire  :  Whence  originates  the  strife 
among  the  different  branches  of  the  Protestant  church  ; 
and  how  may  their  union  on  apostolic  principles  be 
most  successfully  effected  ?  Among  the  causes  of  this 
strife  wc  may  enumerate  the  following : 

1.  The  absence  of  any  visible  bond,  or  indication  of  union^ 
hcUveen  the  different  churches  in  any  city,  town  or  neigh- 
borhood, whilst  each  of  them  is  connected  to  other  churches 
elsewhere  of  its  own  denomination.  This  circumstance 
constantly  cherishes  the  unfriendly  conviction,  that 
each  church  prefers  other  distant  churches  to  its  own 
neighboring  brethren.  If  the  churches  were  all  inde- 
pendent,  having  no  closer  connection  with  any  others 
abroad,  than  with  their  neighbors  at  home,  there  would 
be  less  occasion  for  this  feeling.  No  bond  of  outward 
union  at  all,  would  be  more  conducive  to  brotherly  love 
anion"'  neiirhbors,  than  a  bond  which  excludes  those 
around  us,  and  unites  us  to  others  afar  off.  The  effect 
of  this  stimulant  to  apathy  or  disregard  between  neigh- 
boring disci])les  of  the  same  Saviour  is  witnessed  in  our 


STRIFE  AMONG  PROTESTANT  CHURCHES. 


cities,  wliicli  contain  several  churches  of  the  same  de- 
nomination, united  by  a  common  confession  and  by 
their  Synodical  or  Presbyterial  relations.  How  much 
nearer  do  the  churches  of  the  same  denomination  feel 
to  each  other,  than  to  other  sects  not  thus  connected, 
though  equally  and  sometimes  more  contiguous  ! 

2.  The  next  cause  of  strife  among  churches  is  their 
separate  organization  on  the  (/round  of  doctrinal  diver- 
sity. Separate  organization  becomes  necessary  in  any 
association  whose  members  are  numerous,  and  spread 
over  a  large  extent  of  countiy.  This  is  no  less  the  case 
in  cliurch  than  in  state.  But  the  most  natural  ground 
of  division  among  those  professedly  belonging  to  the 
Bame  great  family,  and  aiming  at  the  same  ends,  is  geo- 
graphical proximity ;  as  is  seen  in  the  division  of  our 
common  country  into  States  and  these  again  into  coun- 
ties, and  as  was  the  case  in  the  Christian  church  in  the 
apostolic  age.  But  when  the  division  is  made  accord- 
ing to  a  principle  totally  different  from  this,  when  it  is 
actually  made  on  the  ground  of  difierence  between  cer- 
tain portions  of  this  common  family,  it  constantly  holds 
up  to  view  not  only  the  existence  of  some  diiference, 
but  also  tlie  fact,  that  this  difference  is  so  important  as 
to  require  those  entertaining  it  to  separate  from  one 
another.  Jv'ow  as  of  two  conflicting  opinions  only  one 
can  be  true,  it  also  im])lie8,  that  each  party  regards 
the  other  as  in  important  error,  and  that  itself  professes 
superior  purity.  This  is  virtually  judging  our  brother, 
and  perpetuating  the  recollection  of  our  judgment  by 
founding  on  it  a  peculiarity  in  the  structure  of  our  ec- 
clesiastical organization.  This  circumstance  is  obvi- 
ously calculated  to  beget  unfriendly  feelings,  and  to 


140 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


cherisli  bigotry ;  and  its  effect  will  be  proportioned  to 
the  density  and  exclusiveness  of  the  organization  based 
on  it.  In  the  primitive  cbnrcli,  when  no  different  de- 
nominations of  Christians  existed,  but  all  professors  of 
Christianity,  of  contiguous  residence,  whether  they  en- 
tirely agreed  in  opinion  or  not,  belonged  to  the  same 
church,  the  bigotry  and  pride  of  the  luiman  heart 
found  food  only  in  the  separate  interests  of  neighbor- 
ing churches  occupying  different  ground.  But  to  this 
is  now  unhappily  added  the  conflict  of  interests  result- 
ing from  the  occupancy  of  the  same  ground  by  two 
churches,  as  also  the  conflicting  interests  of  separate 
extended  ecclesiastical  organizations  aiming  to  occupy 
the  same  location. 

3.  The  third  source  of  sectarian  strife  may  be  found 
in  the  use  of  tramfandamental  creeds*  We  have 
already  seen  that  creeds  properly  constructed  are  useful 
in  the  church.  We  believe  it  may  easily  be  established 
that  either  in  written  or  oral  form  they  are  essential. 
They  existed  in  the  primitive  church  in  the  latter  form, 
and  were  productive  of  good  and  only  good.  They 
were  soon  reduced  to  writing  in  the  so-called  Apostles' 
creed,  and  served  as  a  bond  of  union  during  the  first 
four  centuries  of  the  church,  among  all  who  held  the 
fundamentals  of  truth.  But  at  that  time  creeds  were 
confined  to  fundamentals.  ISTeither  the  Apostles'  nor 
the  Nicene  creed  amounts  to  more  than  a  single  octavo 
page  ;  and  to  the  whole  of  the  former  and  most  of  the 


*  By  transfundamental  creeds  wo  would  designate  those  creeds 
which  embody  not  only  the  undisputed  doctrines  of  Christianity, 
but  also  the  sectarian  peculiarities  of  some  particular  denomination. 


STRIFE  AMONG  PROTESTANT  CHURCHES.  I4I 


latter  all  the  different  orthodox  churches  of  the  present 
day  could  subscribe.  That  the  brevity  of  these  creeds 
did  not  arise  from  the  absence  of  diversity  of  view  is 
certain.  It  has  been  proved  in  a  former  part  of  this 
Appeal,  that  there  did  exist  differences  of  opinion,  even 
in  the  apostolic  age,  on  some  points,  regarded  by  us  as 
highly  important.  To  that  evidence,  fully  satisfactory, 
because  derived  from  God's  infallible  word,  we  would 
here  subjoin  a  highly  important  passage  from  Origen, 
to  prove  that  sucli  diversities  of  opinion  continued  to 
characterize  the  church  from  that  day  tiU  the  middle 
of  the  third  century,  at  which  time  he  wrote.  The 
apostolic  fathers,  also,  would  afford  us  important  testi- 
mony on  this  point.  Their  writings  have,  indeed, 
reached  us  in  a  corrupted  state ;  yet  enough  remains 
fully  to  answer  our  purpose ;  for  the  diffei"ences  which 
they  endeavor  to  allay  must  have  existed.  We  shall, 
however,  confine  ourselves  to  the  passage  from  Origen, 
which  we  believe  has  not  before  been  presented  to  the 
American  public.  Origen,  let  it  be  borne  in  mind,  was 
the  most  learned  Christian  writer  who  had  appeared 
from  the  time  of  the  apostles.  He  was  bom  but  eighty- 
five  years  after  St.  John's  death,  and  therefore  may 
have  seen  persons  who  lived  in  the  apostolic  age.  The 
infidel  Celsus  had  asserted  that  in  the  bejiinninor  when 
Christians  were  few  in  number,  there  was  mianimity 
on  all  points,  but  that  in  his  day,  the  latter  part  of  the 
second  century  (a.  d.  ITC),  they  differed  on  many  sub- 
jects. The  following  is  Origeii's  reply  :  "  J>ut  he  (Cel- 
Bus)  also  asserts,  that  they  (the  primitive  Christians)  all 
agreed  in  their  opinions;  not  observing  that  from  the 
beginning  there  were  different  opinions  among  be- 


142 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


lievers  (Christians)  as  to  the  selection,  of  the  books  to 
be  regarded  as  divine.  Moreover,  whilst  the  apostles 
were  yet  preaching,  and  those  who  were  eye-witnesses 
were  teaching  the  things  which  they  had  learned  of 
Jesus,  there  was  not  a  little  dispute  among  the  Jewish 
believers,  concerning  those  gentiles  who  embraced  the 
Christian  doctrines,  whether  it  was  their  duty  to  ob- 
serve the  Jewish  rites ;  or  whether  the  burden  of  clean 
and  unclean  meats  might  not  be  removed,  as  unneces- 
sary, from  those  among  the  gentiles  who  abandon  the 
customs  of  their  fathers  and  believe  in  Jesus.  And  in 
the  epistles  of  Paul  we  perceive  that  in  the  time  of 
those  who  had  seen  Jesus,  some  were  found  who  called 
in  question  the  resurrection,  and  disputed  whether  it 
had  not  already  taken  place ;  and  also  concerning  the 
day  of  the  Lord,  whether  it  was  just  at  hand  or  not ; 
and  that  (admonition)  to  avoid  profane,  vain  babblings 
and  the  oppositions  of  knowledge,  felsely  so  called, 
which  some  j)rofessing,  have  made  shipwreck  concern- 
ing the  faith ;  hence  it  is  manifest  that  from  the  very 
beginning  certain  differences  of  opinion  occurred,  at 
a  time  when  (as  Celsus  supposes)  the  number  of  the 
believers  was  yet  small.  Tlien,  when  discoursing  about 
the  differences  of  opinion  amongst  Christians,  he  up- 
braids us,  saying  that  when  the  Christians  became  im- 
merous  and  were  scattered  abroad,  they  were  repeat- 
edly split  u]i  and  cut  into  parties,  each  wishing  to  main- 
tain their  own  position,  and  then  (he  adds)  dividing 
again,  and  quarrelling  among  themselves:  until,  so  to 
spealc,  they  agreed  in  only  one  thing,  that  is,  in  name,  if 
even  for  shame's  sake  they  still  have  this  left  in  com- 
mon ;  but  that  in  all  otlier  things  they  differ.    To  this 


STRIFE  AMONG  PROTESTANT  CHURCHES.  I43 


we  reply,  that  there  never  has  been  a  subject  whose 
principles  are  of  any  moment  and  of  importance  in 
life,  concerning  which  diiferent  opinions  have  not  ex- 
isted. Thus,  because  medicine  is  nsefid  and  necessary 
to  the  human  family,  there  are  many  disputed  points 
in  it  relating  to  the  different  modes  of  curing  the  dis- 
eased. Hence  diflerent  parties  (schools  or  systems)  in 
medicine  are  confessedly  formed  among  the  Greeks, 
and  I  believe  also  among  such  of  the  barbarous  nations 
as  avail  themselves  of  the  healing  art.  And  again,  be- 
cause philosophy  professes  to  teach  the  truth  and  in- 
structs us  in  a  knowled":e  of  the  thin"[S  which  exist, 
and  how  avo  ought  to  live,  and  aims  at  showing  what 
will  be  advantageous  to  our  race,  it  has  many  topics  of 
dispute.  Hence  in  philosophy,  also,  there  are  very 
many  parties  (systems,  schools),  some  more  and  others 
less  distinguished." 

Here,  then,  we  have  the  testimony  alike  of  the  most 
distinguished  infidel  and  Christian  of  the  second  and 
third  centuries,  to  the  existence  of  differences  of  oj)inion 
(not  separate  ecclesiastical  organizations)  in  the  Chris- 
tian church  ;  yet  at  that  time  the  only  creed  which  it 
was  deemed  projier  to  use  was  that  termed  the  Apos- 
tles' creed.    In  short,  there  is  no  doubt,  that  the  diffcr- 

*  Origencs  contra  Celsum,  pp.  120,  121.  edit.  Hoeschclii.— It  is 
evident  from  the  context,  and  certain  from  history,  tliiit  Oii<ren 
when  speakinp  of  numerous  dilToronces  anions  the  Clirisstians  of 
his  day,  uses  tlie  word  aiQean  to  ni^cnify  diversities  of  opinion,  or 
Hystems  of  opinions  and  parties  maintaininfr  them,  without  any 
separate  ecclesiastical  ortjanization  based  on  them,  and  without  in- 
terruption of  sacramental,  ministerial  and  ecclesiastical  intercom- 
munion of  the  parties.  We  have  accordingly  thus  rendered  it  in 
the  vcreion  in  the  text. 


144 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


eut  SO  called  orthodox  Protestant  cliurclies  are,  in  real- 
ity, as  much  united  in  the  fundamental  doctrines  of 
Christianity  as  the  church  in  the  earlier  centuries  was. 
But  modern  creeds,  instead  of  giving  prou)inence  to  this 
unity,  and  preserving  it  by  adding  a  few  sentences  to 
these  venerable  ancient  confessions,  in  order  to  exclude 
the  fundamental  errors  which  have  sprung  up  since  tlie 
fourth  century,  are  swelled  some  to  fifty  and  some  to  a 
hundred  times  their  size  ! !  Thus  they  necessarily  em- 
brace so  many  minor  points  of  doctri^ie  and  opinion, 
that  few  of  the  members  of  the  churches  professing 
them  do  in  reality  believe  all  tlieir  contents !  AYhen 
the  minor  points  of  diff'erence  are  embodied  in  a  creed, 
they  become  the  stereotyped  characteristics  of  a  new 
sect,  and  enlist  in  their  defence  many  of  the  unsancti- 
fied  principles  of  our  nature.  They  become  wedges 
of  dissension  to  split  in  pieces  the  body  of  Christ,  they 
form  permanent  barriers  of  division  and  bulwarks  of 
schism  in  his  church. 

4.  The  fourth  cause  of  alienation  among  Christians 
is  the  sectarian  t  aining  of  ths  ising  generatin  .  l^o 
principle  is  more  fully  established  in  the  philosophy  of 
mind,  no  fact  more  uniformly  attested  by  the  expe- 
rience of  ages,  than  that  the  impressions  of  early  life 
are  most  lasting,  that  the  prejudices  of  childhood  and 
youth  pursue  us  tlii-ough  every  subsequent  period  of 
life.  And  whoever  faithfully  traces  to  its  source  the 
sectarian  alienation  of  Christians  will,  we  think,  be  con- 
strained to  attribute  much  of  it  to  early  sectarian  train- 
ing. 

In  the  religious  educatiou  of  children,  the  l>il)lc 
should  as  much  aspo;isiblo  bo  used  as  the  book  of  study 


STRIFE  AMONG  PROTESTANT  CHURCHES.  I45 

and  recitation,  and  such  other  elementary  works  and 
catechisms  as  are  mainly  confined  to  the  common 
ground  of  Christian  doctrine,  that  ground  occupied  by 
the  publications  of  the  American  Tract  and  Sunday- 
School  Societies,  which  is  certainly  of  sufficient  latitude. 
The  peculiarities  of  particular  churches  may,  indeed, 
and  naturally  will  occasionally  be  touched  on,  but  they 
ought  to  be  represented  as  of  inferior  importance,  com- 
pared with  the  common  Christianity.  And  when  onr 
own  denomination  is  the  special  topic  of  instruction, 
children  should  be  distinctly  informed,  that  tlie  other 
denominations  are  our  brethren,  who  love  and  serve 
tlie  same  Saviour,  and  are  as  sincere,  and  perhaps  as 
pleasing  to  God  as  we  are,  though  they  differ  from  us 
on  some  minor  points.  But  how  often  do  not  many  pa- 
rents, in  the  presence  of  their  children,  exhibit  their 
prejudices  against  other  religious  denominations  %  How 
much  more  frequently  do  they  exalt  their  own  denomi- 
nation above  all  others,  either  directly  or  by  compara- 
tive allusions?  Are  there  not  some  parents,  and,  alas 
that  it  should  be  so !  some  pastors  too,  who  strive  even 
by  direct  effort  to  instil  a  disregard  for  others  and  a 
preference  for  their  own  sect  into  the  minds  of  children, 
long  before  they  are  competent  to  comprehend  or  esti- 
mate the  grovmds  of  "the  supposed  preference  ?  What 
else  is  this  than  an  efibrt  to  sow  the  seeds  of  sheer  pre- 
judice in  the  tender  minds  of  children  ?  It  is  right  that 
the  prepossessions  and  antipathies  of  youth  should  be 
not  indeed  excited,  but  pr()])erly  directed ;  yet,  fur  tho 
bleeding  Saviour's  sake,  let  the  former  be  enlisted  in 
the  favor  of  ('hristianity,  not  of  sectarianism,  and  the 
latter  be  directed  against  the  enemies  of  the  crosi;,  and 
7 


146 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


not  against  tliose  whom  we  profess  to  acknowledge  as 
its  friends  ! 

5,  The  next  source  of  alienation  among  Christians, 
is  what  ma}'  he  termed  sectarian  idolatry  or 
worship,  inordinate  veneration  for  distinguished  theo- 
logians, such  as  Luther,  Calvin,  Zwingli,  Wesley  and 
others.  What  candid  man,  possessing  any  extensive 
acquaintance  with  the  literature  of  past  ages,  can  deny 
that  the  deference  awarded  to  the  opinions  and  practice 
of  these  men  is  altogether  inordinate,  entirely  heyoud 
what  is  due  to  the  merits  of  other  men,  and  far  above 
the  measure  of  their  actual  superiority.  Protestants 
justly  censure  the  Romish  church  for  reposing  such 
confidence  in  the  authority  of  the  ancient  Fathers,  that 
is,  of  distinguished  theologians  of  the  first  four  or  five 
centuries  of  the  Christian  church.  Yet  it  may  be 
doubted  whether  some  Protestants  have  not  inadver- 
tently conceded  to  some  of  these  modern  Fathei«  an  in- 
fluence somewhat  similar,  possibh'  in  a  few  cases  even 
equal  in  degree.  T4ie  names  of  these  good  and  great 
yet  fallible  men,  have  become  identified  with  certain 
distinguishing  non-fundamental  doctrines  which  they 
held,  and  by  which  they  were  distinguished  from  others. 
Their  authority  and  influence,  acquired  by  their  zeal 
and  success  in  behalf  of  the  common  Christianity,  are 
thus  often  used  as  a  shield  of  protection  for  these  minor 
peculiarities.  The  very  designation  of  these  peculiari- 
ties by  personal  names,  calls  into  play  sectarian  associ- 
ations, and  sinister  feelings,  and  is  a  kind  of  covert  ap- 
peal to  tlie  authority  of  these  Fathers. 

Moreover,  each  sect  is  prone  to  cultivate  almost  ex- 
clusively the  literature  of  its  own  denomination.  Enter 


STRIFE  AMONG  PROTESTANT  CHURCHES.  I47 


the  theological  schools  or  the  private  hbraries  of  minis- 
ters, and  jou  will  find  that  generally  Lutherans  and 
Calvinists  and  Episcopalians  and  Baptists  and  Method- 
ists devote  most  of  their  time  to  the  study  of  authors 
of  their  own  denominations,  and  this  peculiarity  may 
be  distinctly  traced  in  the  hbraries  of  many  lay  Chris- 
tians. Many  of  these  distinguished  servants  of  God 
would  have  grieved  to  think  of  the  sectarian  use  which 
posterity  has  made  of  their  names  and  literary  labors. 
Listen  to  the  language  of  Luther,  whose  name  and 
•works  were  for  two  centuries  especially  thus  employed 
in  Germany  for  purposes  of  strife  :  "  I  had  cherished 
the  hope,  that  henceforth  men  would  apply  to  the  holy 
Scriptures  themselves,  and  let  my  books  alone  ;  as  they 
have  now  accomplished  their  end  and  have  conducted 
the  hearts  of  men  to  the  Scriptures,  which  was  my  de- 
sign in  writing  them.  "What  profit  is  ihere  in  the  mak- 
ing of  many  books,  and  yet  remaining  ignorant  of  the 
book  of  books  ?  Better  far  to  drink  out  of  the  fountain 
itself,  than  out  of  the  little  rivulets  which  have  con- 
ducted you  to  it.*  Whoever  now  wishes  to  have  my 
books,  I  entreat  him  by  no  means  to  let  them  be  an  ob- 
stacle to  his  studying  the  Scriptures  tliemsclves.  But 
let  him  look  upon  my  books,  as  I  do  on  the  decretals  of 
the  ])opes  and  books  of  the  sophists,  that  is,  though  I 
occasionally  look  into  them  to  see  what  they  performed, 
and  to  examine  the  history  of  the  times,  I  by  no  means 
study  them  under  the  impression,  that  I  must  do  as 
they  teach.''t    Yet  there  is  reason  to  fear,  that  some 


*  Luther's  Duiitsclio  Worko,  B.  14.  S.  423. 
\  Luthor's  Deutsclio  Wt  rko,  B.  14.  S.  400. 


148 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


good  men  have,  hj  early  and  long  continued  training, 
become  so  mucli  accustomed  to  test  and  value  their 
vieAvs,  rather  as  being  Lutheran  or  Calvinistic  than 
biblical — that  they  have  so  long  been  in  the  habit  of 
dwelling  on  the  conformity  of  their  sentiments  to  those 
of  Luther,  Calvin,  Wesley,  or  some  other  Avorthy  of  the 
church,  that  they  would  feel  deeply  distressed  and  al- 
most lost,  if  these  names  were  wrested  from  them  !  In 
the  spirit  of  such  sectarianism  we  might  eommisei'ate 
the  condition  of  the  primitive  discii)lcs,  whose  Chris- 
tianity was  based  on  the  Saviour  alone !  AVe  might 
exclaim,  "  Unhappy  Paul,  thou  hadst  no  Luther  nor 
Calvin  nor  Wesley  to  glory  in,  whose  name  thou  couldst 
bear  in  addition  to  that  of  Christ !"  But  were  such  the 
feelings  of  Paul  ?  lie  might  himself  have  been  a  Lu- 
ther, a  Calvin,  a  Wesley,  his  name  the  watchword  of  a 
sect;  but  the  noble  minded  Paul  would  glory  only  in 
Christ.  He  would  not  allow  the  adoption  of  any  sec- 
tarian name  in  the  clmrdi.  Sectarian  names  and  party 
divisions  he  denounced  as  carnal.  "  Therefore (said 
he)  "let  no  man  glory  in  men;  for  they  are  all  youi-s 
(they  are  all  the  property  of  the  Avhole  church),  whether 
Paul  or  Apollos  or  Cephas"  (and  we  may  add  Luther 
and  Calvin  and  Wesley) :  "  all  are  yours,  and  ye  are 
Christ's,  and  Christ  is  God's.  So  then  (ourw^)  let  a  man 
consider  us  (me  and  Apollos,  etc.)  as  ministers  of 
Christ  and  stewards  of  the  mysteries  of  God  (Jbut  in)t  as 
leaders  of  parties)."'^'  He  would  have  all  believers  called 
Christians  and  onl^  Christians.  All  that  this  nanae 
implied  he  wished  to  be,  and  neither  more  nor  less. 


*  1  Cor.  iii:  21— ivrl. 


STRIFE  AMONG  PROTESTANT  CHURCHES.  I49 


IJappy  day  !  Avlien  this  spirit  shall  return  to  the  church ! 
Then  she  may  celebrate  a  jubilee,  a  glorious  jubilee ; 
and  it  will  literally  be  not  a  centennial,  but  a  millen- 
nial jubilee.  The  last  thousand  years  will  have  wit- 
nessed but  one ! ! 

Nor  would  we  pass  in  silence  a  collateral  evil,  result- 
ing from  the  almost  exclusive  cultivation  of  sectarian 
literature.  As  this  literature  is  all  of  a  date  subsequent 
to  the  Reformation,  its  perusal  impresses  the  Protest- 
ant laity  with  the  modern  origin  of  our  churches ;  and 
leaves  them  in  almost  total  darkness  as  to  our  real  iden- 
tity with  the  church  of  the  earlier  ages.  Hence  our 
people  are  unduly  impressed  by  the  Romish  claim  to 
superior  antiquity,  and  an  advantage  is  conceded  to 
papists  of  which  they  cunningly  avail  themselves.  If 
Protestants  selected  their  literature  pronii-cuously  from 
among  the  different  sects  according  to  the  intrinsic 
merits  of  the  writers,  it  would  tend  much  to  promote 
actual  unity  and  mntual  esteem  among  themselves; 
and  if,  Ijoth  in  their  literature  and  creeds,  they  gave 
greater  prominence  to  their  identity  with  the  primitive 
church,  they  would  make  the  laity  feel  their  connection 
with  the  Christians  of  the  earlier  centuries,  and  thus 
nullify  the  most  popular  argument  by  which  papists 
proselyie  Protestant  members. 

C.  Another  source  of  sectarian  di-cord,  is  ecclesiast- 
ical jjride.  As  long  as  man  is  sanctified  but  in  part, 
this  element  of  native  depravity  will  more  or  less  iiillii- 
ence  the  disciples  of  Christ;  will  seek  and  often  find 
fuel  even  iu  the  sanctuary  of  God.  Each  sect  is  natu- 
rally disposed  to  regard  its  institutions  and  its  ministers 
as  the  mcA  learned  and  able,  or  its  members  as  most 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


genteel,  or  its  rites  most  fasliionable,  its  churclies  most 
splendid,  or  its  members  the  most  pious,  its  ptxles  as  far 
the  best  road  to  heaven.  Ministers  are  tempted  to  be 
influenced  by  the  feet,  that  thej  regard  ilieir  churches 
as  presenting  the  most  conspicuous  theatre  for  the  dis- 
play of  their  talents,  or  holding  out  the  fairest  pros- 
pects of  advancement;  their jiudiences  as  the  most  in- 
telligent, their  support  as  the  most  liberal,  or  as  best 
secured  against  contingencies.  Hence  they  are  in  dan- 
ger of  looking  on  their  less  favored  neighboi's  with  se- 
cret disrespect ;  of  cherishing  ecclesiastical  pride,  and 
having  their  judgment  Avarped  by  it.  We  do  not  as- 
sert that  all  ministers  or  laymen  yield  to  the  influence 
of  this  temptation,  yet  happy  is  that  man,  Avho,  on  an 
im]iartial  examination  of  his  feelings  as  in  the  presence 
of  God,  stands  fidly  acquitted  by  his  own  conscience! 
That  caution  here  is  not  superfluous,  was  evidently  the 
opinion  of  the  great  apostle  of  the  gentiles,  who  having 
himself  repelled  all  sectarian  honore,  gives  double  force 
to  his  admonition :  "  These  things,  brethren,  I  have 
figuratively  transferred  (applied)  to  myself  and  to  Apol- 
los,  for  your  sakes,  that  ye  might  learn  by  us  not  to 
•  esteem  ministers  (see  v.  1)  above  what  is  written  (in  v. 
1,  and  ch.  iii :  5 — ix :  21),  that  no  one  of  you  may,  on 
account  of  one  (minister),  be  puffed  up  against  an- 
other!!" 

7.  The  last  source  of  sectarian  discord  to  be  noticed 
is  conflict  of  pocuninry  iniercst  between  neighboring 
ministers  and  churches.  This  principle  applies  to  the 
feelings  of  the  minister  in  regard  to  his  salary,  which 
depends  in  some  measure  on  the  increase  of  his  church. 
In  reference  to  laymen,  it  applies  to  their  raising  fuiuls 


STRIFE  AMONG  PROTESTANT  CHURCHES.  151 


for  all  ecclesiastical  purposes.  The  more  their  cliiu'cli 
prospers  and  receives  additions,  the  more  Avill  their  pe- 
cuniary liabilities  be  divided,  tlie  more  easily  will  the 
burden  rest  on  their  shoulders.  Hence  both  pastors 
and  people  are  tempted  to  envy  and  jealousy  towards 
their  Christian  neighboi's  of  other  denominations,  be- 
cause the  success  of  either  party  is  more  or  less  at  the 
expense  of  the  other.  The  success  of  either,  diminishes 
the  amount  of  materials  for  the  others  to  act  on,  and 
this  is  a  matter  of  serious  moment  to  tlie  parties,  espe- 
cially in  smaller  towns  and  villages,  where  often  twice 
as  many  ministers  are  stationed  as  are  needed,  or  as 
can  be  supported. 

From  this  difficulty  the  primitive  church  was  almost 
entirely  exempt.  In  the  earlier  ages  it  was  customary 
to  appoint,  that  is,  ordain  several  elders,  or  as  we  now 
term  them  ministers,  in  ever}"-  church,  who  divided  the 
pastoral  labor  between  them,  and  generally  continued 
to  jf^osecute  their  secular  business,  thus  in  a  (jreat  meas- 
ure supporting  tJtemselves ;  whilst  it  was  customary 
from  the  beginning  to  provide  for  those  who  went 
abroad  as  missionaries,  and  travelled  from  place  to 
place. '^^  The  only  fund  of  the  church  was  that  which 
arose  from  the  voluntary  offerings  of  the  members  on 
each  Lord's  day.  This  fund,  however,  was  considerable ; 
and  it  Mas  ])robably  as  a  stinudus  to  liberality,  that  the 
custom  of  reading  off  the  names  of  the  contributors  was 
introduced;  though  its  professed  design  was  to  com- 
mend them  to  the  special  prayers  of  the  church. f  lu 


*  Fuchs'  Bibliothck  dcr  Kirchenversammlungcn,  Vol.  I.,  p.  72,73. 
t  Ibid,  Vol.  I.,  p.  73. 


152 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


the  third  century,  when  the  intelligence  of  the  churches 
had  increased  and  the  duties  of  ministers  had  be- 
come so  greatly  multiplied  as  to  require  their  entire 
time,  they  were  in  some  countries  prohibited  from  fol- 
lowing any  secular  profession,  as  we  learn  from  Cyprian,* 
and  other  sources.  Tiie  sixth  of  the  Apostolic  Canons 
reads  thus : 

Canon  6.  Neither  a  hisJwp,  presbyter  nor  deacon  shall 
engage  in  secular  employmen  t,  on  pain  of  being  deposed 
from  office. 

And  the  fortieth  canon  is  as  follows : 

Canon  40.  We  ordain  that  the  bishop  shall  have  the 
control  of  the  congregational  property.  For  as  the  pre- 
cious soxds  of  men  are  committed  to  his  care,  much  more 
ought  he  to  have  the  control  of  the  church  property,  that 
he  may  f  reely  arrange  every  thing,  that  he  may  aid  the 
poor  through  the  instrumentality  of  the  presbyters  and. 
deacons,  in  the  fear  of  God  and  in  all  honesty.  lie 
shall  also  be  permitted  to  apply  a  portion  of  it  to  his 
own  indispensable  ivants,  if  he  needs  it,  as  also  for 
strange  Christians  who  have  come  as  guests  /  and  in  these 
cases  it  is  not  necessary  to  suffer  any  want  {iieraXaiifiaveiv 

Kai  av-rov  twv  deovrcov,  elye  dcEiro,  el^  Tag  dvayKaiag 
avTCO  XP^'^C'?  i^*^^  eTTi^evovjievcjv  ddeXrpwv,  (if  Kara  nrjdeva 
rpoTTov  avTovg  varepeiaOai). 

The  fifty-eighth  canon  likewise  relates  to  this  sub- 
ject: 

Canon  58.  Jf  a  bisJwp  refuse  to  supply  the  indis- 


*  Cjpriani  cj).  CO.  to  tlic  church  at  Furnae.  Neaudcr,  sup.  cit.  p. 
805. 


STRIFE  AMONG  PROTESTANT  CHURCHES.     I  53 


pensahle  wants  of  a  2^007'  minister  (uamely  from  the 
church  funds)  Jie  shall  he  set  aside  /  and  if  he  still 
refuses  to  do  it,  let  him  he  deposed  as  a  murderer  of  his 
brethren/^ 

At  the  Synod  of  Elvira,  (in  Spain,  near  the  site  of 
the  present  Granada,)  the  date  of  -which  is  not  entirely 
certain,  though  fixed  with  probability  about  the  year 
313,  a  restriction  was  imposed  on  ministers,  by  the 
eighteenth  canon,  which  however  pre-supposes  that  iu 
Spain  the  secular  business  of  ministers  was  not  yet 
entirely  prohibited. 

Canon  18.  Bishops,  elders  and  deacons  shall  not  leave 
their  place  of  residence  for  the  sake  of  trade,  nor  tra- 
verse the  provinces  for  the  purposes  of  attending  pro- 
fitable fairs.  They  may,  for  the  purpose  of  gaining  a 
subsistence,  send  a  son,  or  freedman,  or  hireling,  or 
friend,  or  any  one  else ;  and  if  they  wish  to  pursue 
any  secula/r  business,  let  it  be  within  their  province.'f 

In  accordance  witli  the.-e  on'ginal  documents,  is  the 
opinion  of  Dr.  Neander,:}:  who  is  confessedly  the  most 
learned  writer  of  the  present  age,  on  the  ancient  history 
of  the  churcli.  "  It  is  almost  certain  (says  he)  that  in 
the  begi ruling,  those  who  held  offices  iu  the  church, 
continued  to  pursue  their  secular  business,  and  thereby 

*  Roessler's  Bibliotbek  der  Kirchenviitcr,  Vol.  IV.,  p.  232,  242,248. 

t  Ibid,  Vol.  IV.,  p.  280,  281.  Episcopi,  Presbyteri  et  Diacones  de 
Incis  8uis  ncjjotiancli  causa  non  ^liscodant  ;  nec  circumcuntcs  pro- 
vinciaH  (luaostiiosa.s  umidinns  sectentur.  Sane  ad  victuin  Bibi  con- 
quircndiim  aut  filimii,  aut  liltcrtuin,  aiit  mprccnaiiuin,  aut  aniicum, 
ant  quciiilibct  iiiittant,  et  ki  voliierint  nugoliari,  intra  provinciam 
negoticntur. 

t  Died  July  14th,  1850. 

7* 


154 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


supported  tlieir  families,  as  tliej  had  previously  done. 
The  congregations,  which  consisted  chiefly  of  the  poor, 
■were  scarcely  able  to  provide  for  the  support  of  their 
ministers  (presbyters)  and  deacons,  especially  as  at  that 
time  many  other  demands  were  made  on  the  congrega- 
tional treasury,  such  as  for  the  support  of  the  destitute 
widows,  of  the  poor,  of  the  sick,  and  of  orphans.  And 
it  may  be  that  the  ministers  often  belonged  to  the 
wealthiest  members  of  the  church,  and  indeed  this  must 
often  have  been  the  case,  as  their  office  required  a  de- 
gree of  previous  cultivation  of  mind  and  manners,  which 
could  more  frequently  be  found  among  persons  in  the 
higher  or  middle  walks  of  life,  than  among  the  lower 
classes  of  society.  If  it  was  necessary  that  the  presby- 
ters or  bishops,  as  they  were  in  all  respects  to  be  an 
example  to  the  flock,  should  also  have  been  distinguish- 
ed among  the  Chi'istians  for  their  hospitality  (1  Tim. 
3  :  2),  they  must  have  belonged  to  those  in  easy  circum- 
stances, of  whom  the  number  was  not  large, — and  how 
could  such  persons  have  permitted  themselves  to  be  sup- 
ported by  the  savings  of  their  more  needy  brethren ! 
The  apostle  Paul  does  indeed  declare,  that  the  mission- 
aries who  went  abroad  to  publish  the  gospel,  are  entitled 
to  a  support  from  those  for  whose  spiritual  benefit  they 
labor,  but  we  cannot  hence  infer  the  same  in  regard  to 
the  officers  of  individual  congregations.  The  former 
could  not  well  unite  their  secular  profession  with  the 
duties  of  their  spintual  calling,  although  to  the  self- 
denial  of  Paul  even  this  v.'as  possible.  But  the  latter 
could  at  first  easily  combine  their  secular  pi'ofession 
Avith  their  ecclesiastical  office.  I^or  was  there  any  tln'ng 
ofiensive  in  such  a  union  according  to  the  primitive 


STRIFE  AMONG  PROTESTANT  CHURCHES.     1 55 


views  of  the  Christians ;  for  they  -u-ere  convinced  that 
every  earthly  calling  also  could  be  sanctified  by  the 
cliristian  design  for  which  it  is  pursued,  and  they  knew 
that  even  the  great  apostle  in  cases  of  necessity  followed 
a  secular  business,*  whilst  engaged  in  publishing  tlie 
gospel.  But  when  the  congregations  became  larger, 
and  the  duties  of  the  cliurch  ofHcers  more  numerous ; 
when  the  duty  of  teaching  was  chiefly  confined  to  the 
ministers,  as  the  office  of  the  ministei's  required  all  their 
time  and  exertions  if  they  would  perform  them  faith- 
fully ;  it  was  often  no  longer  possible  for  them  to  pro- 
vide for  their  own  support,  and  the  congregations  hav- 
ing become  larger,  contained  more  wealth,  and  were 
now  able  to  support  them.  The  salary  of  the  ministers 
was  paid  out  of  the  congregational  treasury,  which  was 
supplied  by  a  voluntary  contribution  from  each  member 
at  the  meeting  for  public  worship  on  every  Lord's  day, 
or  as  in  Northern  AlVica,  on  the  first  Sunday  of 
each  mouth.    Miuistere  were  now  urged  to  abstain 


*  Acts  xviii :  3 ;  XX :  34,  35.  A  good  doal  of  interest  has  been 
evinced  in  the  question,  what  the  exact  trade  was,  at  which  the 
apostle  wjnietinics  worked  ;  whether  from  mere  curiosity,  or  a  de- 
sire to  throw  light  upon  the;  question,  wliat  kind  of  secular  labor 
best  comports  with  the  clerical  profession.  The  term  employed  by 
Luke  is  OKiivoxniorj,  which  is  variously  understood,  by  some  as  sig- 
nifying manufacturer  of  mattresses,  by  others,  of  tools,  others  of  tcitt- 
cloth  ;  but  by  the  great  majority,  including  the  authors  of  our  com- 
mon English  version,  as  signifying  tcnt-mnkers.  In  our  own  coun- 
try the  most  proper  profession,  by  which  the  minister  can  supple- 
ment his  inadequate  salarj',  is  that  of  teaching  school,  which  comes 
nearest  to  the  ministerial  profession  in  its  nature,  and  also  aflbrds 
most  freepient  op|)ortunities  to  inculcate  religious  instruction.  Seo 
also  1  Cor.  iv :  12,  etc.  ;  2  Cor.  vi :  4,  5. 


156 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


from  worldly  husiness ;  and  in  the  third  century  they 
were  absolutely  prohibited  from  all  such  employment, 
even  from  the  duties  of  a  guardian.  This  regulation 
was  doubtless  founded  on  a  very  good  reason,  and  was 
intended  for  the  very  salutary  purpose  of  preventing 
the  clergy  from  forgetting  their  sacred  calling  amid 
their  worldly  engagements ;  for  we  see  fi'om  the  work 
of  Cyprian,  De  lapsis,  that  during  the  long-continued 
peace,  a  worldly  spirit  had  already  crcpt  in  among  the 
bishops,  and  that,  immersed  in  secular  business,  they 
neglected  their  spiritual  duties  and.  the  welfare  of  their 
churches."  * 

Such  then  are  the  undoubted  facts  in  the  case.  In 
the  beginning  there  was  not,  there  could  not  be  any 
conflict  of  pecuniary  interest  between  adjoining  minis- 
ters and  congregations.  But  it  is  evident  that  even  after 
it  became  necessary  for  ministers  to  relinquish  their 
secular  business  and  be  supported  by  their  congrega- 
tions, which  they  had  a  clear  right  to  demand  as  soon 
as  the  congregations  were  large  enough  to  support  them, 
as  Paul  distinctly  teaches  in  1  Cor,  ix.,  scarcely  any 
more  difficulty  could  arise  ;  because  there  being  but  one 
denomination  of  Christians,  there  could  not  be  several 
conflicting  churches  aiming  to  occupy  the  same  ground, 
and  the  cases  would  be  rare  in  which  more  ministers 
would  be  stationed  in  one  place,  than  the  popxilation 
required  and  could  support. 

How  great  the  difficulties  arc,  which  now  arise  from 
this  source  is  well  knoAvn.    Yet  they  might  be  greatly 


*  Ncandor's  Allgemcino  Gcschlchtc  dcr  cliristlichcn  Religion  und 
Kirchc,  Vol.  L,  p.  303,  304,  303. 


STRIFE  AMONG  PROTESTANT  CHURCHES.    1 57 


diminished  by  the  plan  of  union  hereafter  proposed,  if 
(I)  the  confederated  denominations  would  resolve  not  to 
send  into  any  neighborhood  more  ministers  than  would 
constitute  a  reasonable  supply,  say  one  to  every  thou- 
sand souls.  (2)  Let  all  the  members  of  the  confederated 
churches,  resident  in  such  bounds  unite  in  supporting 
one  and  the  same  minister.  And  (3)  if  the  Avhole  con- 
federated population  of  such  a  district  is  unable  to  fur- 
nish an  adequate  support  for  a  minister,  let  application 
be  made  to  the  Ilome  Missionary  Society  for  aid.  Thus 
would  the  funds  of  the  church  be  better  husbanded  and 
more  judiciously  and  extensively  applied ;  many  labor- 
ers v»"0uld  be  spared  for  destitute  portions  of  our  land 
and  of  our  globe,  brotherly  love  would  more  abound  in 
the  church  at  home,  and  unity  of  spirit  be  greatly  pro- 
moted. 


CHAPTER  TV. 


EEMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS,  OK  PLAN  FOE  THE  KESTORATION 
OF  CATHOLIC  UNION  ON  APOSTOLIC  PRINCIPLES. 

Any  plan  of  union,  in  order  to  possess  a  claim  to  the 
attention  of  the  different  christian  denominations  gener- 
ally, must  be  based  on  apostolic  principles,  must  be 
accordant  ^Yith  the  spirit  and  principles  of  the  New 
Testament,  or  deducible  from  them.  It  must  leave 
untouched  the  unalienable  rights  and  obligations  of 
Christians,  and  therefore  must  possess  the  following 
attributes : 

1.  It  must  require  of  no  one  the  renunciation  of  any 
doctrine  or  opinion  believed  by  him  to  be  scriptural  or 
true. 

2.  It  must  concede  to  each  denomination  or  branch  of 
the  Church  of  Christ,  the  right  to  retain  its  own  organ- 
ization, or  to  alter  or  amend  it  at  option,  leaving  every 
tiling  relative  to  government,  discipline,  and  worship, 
to  be  managed  by  each  denomination  according  to  its 
own  views  for  the  time  being.  Tlie  principle  of 
ecclesiastical  associations  is  scriptural ;  the  mode  of  its 
application  and  tlie  extent  of  its  use,  are  not  decided 
by  the  sacred  volume,  and  therefore  are  just  matter  for 
private  judgment  and  progressive  experience. 

3.  It  must  dissuade  no  one  from  discussing  fimda- 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


mentals  and  non-fimdameutals  in  the  spirit  of  christian 
love,  and  amicably  showing  why  he  believes  some  non- 
fundamental  opinions  held  by  any  of  his  brethren  to  be 
incorrect.  Controversies  might  even  exist  among  the 
confederated  brethren,  under  the  influence  of  scriptural 
union ;  but  they  would  be  divested  of  most  of  their 
bitterness,  because  the  points  at  issue  would  confessedly 
be  non-fundamental,  having  little  or  no  perceptible  in- 
fluence on  christian  practice,  involving  no  pecuniary 
loss  by  ejection  from  a  pastoral  .relation,  and  menacing 
no  ecclesiastical  disabilities. 

4.  The  plan  nmst  be  applicable  to  all  the  orthodox 
christian  denominations,  to  all  that  arc  regarded  as  por- 
tions of  Christ's  visible  church  on  earth.  It  must  em- 
brace all  whom  the  apostles  and  primitive  Christians 
would  have  admitted  to  the  one  catholic  or  universal 
church ;  all  whom  God  has  owned  by  the  influence  of 
his  Spirit  and  grace.  Upon  this  ground  James,  Peter, 
and  John  admitted  Paul,  who  had  formerly  been  a 
persecutor  of  the  brethren,  and  "gave  to  him  the  right 
hand  of  fellowship."  *  The  Saviour  never  enjoined  on 
men  the  duty  of  flxing  the  terms  of  coninumion  in  his 
church.  This  he  has  himself  done  in  his  word  by  pre- 
cept and  by  the  apostolic  example;  and  we  are  treading 
on  forbidden  ground  when  we  sepai'ate  those  whom 
God  by  his  grace  and  Spirit  hath  joined  together. 
This  is  indeed  not  the  design  of  the  diflerent  denomina- 
tions, but  is  it  not  too  true,  that  it  is  virtually  the  result 
of  the  present  state  of  sectarian  division  I 

*  Gal.  ii.  9 :  When  James,  Cephas,  and  John,  perceived  the  prace 
that  was  given  unto  me,  they  gave  to  me  and  Barnabas  the  right 
han<l  of  rdlowship. 


i6o 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


Having  now  considered  the  character  of  primitive 
unity,  and  the  causes  of  discord  in  the  different 
"branches  of  the  Protestant  church,  let  us  take  om* 
stand  on  the  liigh  ground  of  apostolic  principles,  and 
from  that  elevated  post  survey  the  divided  heritage  of 
the  Saviour,  and  inquire  how  may  the  spirit,  and,  as 
far  as  possible,  the  form  of  primitive  unity  be  restored '{ 
And  may  that  blessed  Saviour,  who  promised  wisdom 
from  above  to  them  that  ask  it,  to  lead  them  into  all 
necessary  truth,  grant  us  the  tuition  of  his  Spirit  to 
guide  and  bless  this  humble  effort  for  the  accomplish- 
ment of  his  own  fervent  prayer  in  behalf  of  his  disci- 
ples :  "  That  they  all  may  be  one  ;  as  thou.  Father,  art 
in  me,  and  I  in  thee." 

I.  Some  few  advocates  of  union  have  proposed,  that 
all  others  should  abandon  their  systems  and  peculiari- 
ties, and  unite  with  them  by  conforming  in  all  things 
to  their  views  and  practice. 

As  this  method  violates  the  unalienable  rights  and 
obligations  of  Christians,  by  requiring  the  abandonment 
of  what  they  believe  truth,  and  the  practice  of  what 
they  consider  error,  it  cannot  be  regarded  as  judicious, 
or  as  promising  any  success.  It  would,  moreover,  be- 
tray extreme  Aveakness  for  any  one  Christian  sect,  at 
this  late  day,  to  calculate  on  the  universal  adoption  of 
its  peculiarities  by  all  others.  Better,  far  better  will  it 
be,  that  all  endeavor  to  forget  sectarian  differences,  and 
co-operate  for  the  publication  of  the  Gospel  to  the 
600,000,000  of  perishing  heathen,  with  a  degree  of  ar- 
dor and  cordiality,  which  will  make  us  wear  the  ap- 
pearance of  one  church. 

II.  It  has  been  pro]i")sc(l,  tliat  eacli  denomination 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


I6l 


should  renounce  its  standards  of  doctrine  and  govern- 
ment and  worship,  and  then  all  unite  in  one  new,  short 
confession,  embracing  only  those  doctrines  held  in  com- 
mon bj  all,  and  establishing  such  a  system  of  govern- 
ment as  all  could  conscientiously  adopt ;  whilst  entire 
liberty  and  privilege  of  diversity  sliould  be  enjoyed  by 
all  on  every  point  not  determined  by  the  new  stand- 
ards. 

This  plan  is  liberal  in  its  jirinciples,  violates  none  of  ' 
the  imalienable  rights  and  obligations  of  Christians, 
and  therefore  possesses  claims  of  the  highest  order.  It, 
however,  mistakes  uniformity  for  union,  and  lacks  one 
attribute  of  a  proper  union  for  Christians,  on  an  apos- 
tolic basis.  The  apostles  and  primitive  churches  main- 
tained unity  with  all  whom  they  acknowledged  as 
Christians;  but  this  plan,  we  fear,  is  not  applicable  to 
all  orthodox  Christian  denominations.  It  would  prom- 
ise a  union  of  the  Congregationalists,  the  Presbyterians, 
the  Luthci-ans,  the  German  Eeformed,  the  Dutch  Re- 
formed, the  Baptists,  and,  in  short,  of  all  those  ortho- 
dox donominations,  which  hold  parity  of  ministers. 
The  Moravians,  or  United  Brethren  also  could  unite  so 
far  as  doctrine  is  concerned,  for,  as  they  adopt  and  have 
always  held  the  Augsburg  Confession,  there  would  be 
no  difficulty.  The  same  is  true,  so  far  as  doctrine  is 
concerned,  of  the  Episcopal  church,  the  Methodist,  and 
all  other  churches  which  practice  diocesan  episcopacy 
in  our  land.  But  the  writer  is  unable  to  perceive  how 
these  denominations  could  all  unite  on  any  middle 
ground  of  church  goverament.  We  must  either  have 
diocesan  bishops  or  practice  ministerial  parity ;  and 
any  plan,  constructed  on  the  principle  of  uniformity, 


l62 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


must  adopt  cither  the  oue  or  the  other,  and/eould  not 
enjoin  both.  But  these  churches  are  as  orthodox  and 
pious  as  any  others,  and  God  has  as  distinctly  owned 
them  as  his  own;  so  that  we  should  feel  criminal  iu 
virtually  pronouncing  that  unclean  which  God  has 
sanctified,  were  we  to  advocate  a  plan  of  union  which 
Avould  exclude  either  the  friends  of  ministerial  parity  or 
imparity.  But  if  this  plan  were  even  feasible,  its  adop- 
tion Avould  probably  not  result  in  much  good ;  as  it 
would  collect  into  one  bod}',  for  religious  worship,  those 
whose  modes  and  habits  of  worship  are  so  materially 
diverse  as  to  justify  the  anticipation  of  but  little  har- 
mony or  edification. 

III.  Without  enlarging  our  work  by  an  account  of 
the  different  attempts  at  Christian  union,  which  have 
been  made  in  the  Protestant  church,  and  which  are 
familiar  to  students  of  ecclesiastical  history,  we  shall 
proceed  to  spread  before  our  readers  the  scheme  to 
which  we  invite  their  special  attention.  Our  own  plan, 
winch  appears  to  us  more  accordant  with  the  requisite 
attributes  of  a  plan  for  Christian  union  on  apostolic 
principles,  more  feasible,  and  more  safe,  is  embraced 
in  the  follow-ing  features : 

First  Featuee.  The  several  Christian  denominations 
shall  retain  each  its  own  present  ecclesiastical  organiza- 
tion, government,  discipline,  and  mode  of  worship.  It 
is  conceded  by  the  great  body  of  Christians,  that  the 
Scriptures  do  not  determine  all  the  particulars  of  any 
system  of  church  govermnent,  but  leave  the  matter,  ex- 
cepting some  important  outlines,  to  the  conscientious 
judgment  and  experience  of  the  church  in  every  age, 
and  under  every  form  of  civil  government ;  and  the  few 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


M-lio  tliink  they  find  tlieir  entire  system  of  government 
in  Scripture,  do  not  regard  it  as  so  essential  as  to  lead 
them  to  deny  the  Christian  character  of  others.  Hence 
every  church  has  an  equal  right  deliberately  to  test  her 
forms  of  ecclesiastical  organization  by  experience  ;  and 
diversity  of  practice  on  this  j)oint,  ought  neither  to  pre- 
clude ecclesiastical  communion,  nor  impede  substantial 
union  among  the  parties.  This  principle  is  distinctly 
avowed  in  the  motlier  symbol  of  Protestantism,  the 
Augsburg  Confession :  "  For  the  true  unity  of  the 
church  (say  the  confessors)  nothing  more  is  required 
than  agreement  concerning  the  doctrines  of  the  Gospel, 
and  the  administration  of  tlie  sacraments.  Nor  is  it 
necessary  that  the  same  human  traditions,  that  is,  rites 
and  ceremonies  instituted  by  men,  should  be  every- 
where observed."*  It  is  indeed  true,  that  whilst  many 
churches  have  no  connection  whatever  with  each  other, 
even  though  contiguous,  others  are  united  together 
more  closely  than  any  of  the  apostolic  churches  were. 
But  the  questions  whether  and  when  they  shall  relax 
these  sectarian  bonds,  should  be  left  to  their  own  decis- 
ion. The  evils  of  too  close  a  union  in  extended  bodies 
are  beginning  to  be  extensively  felt ;  and  if  through 
the  influence  of  the  impartial  investigation,  fostered  by 
the  kind  of  union  proposed  in  this  Appeal,  some 
churches  should  relinquish  any  features  of  their  eccle- 
siastical organization,  as  is  entirely  possible;  they  have 
full  liberty  to  reform  themselves,  and,  under  the  pro- 
gressive I  'ujht  of  God' s providence,  gradually,  to  assume 
towards  each  other  and  towards  the  great  body  of  the 


*  Auppburff  Confepsion,  Art.  VII. 


164 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


Protestant  churchy  ichatever  relation  and  organization 
appear  to  them  hest  adapted  to  the  millennial  age.  But 
the  attempt  to  unite  all  the  churches  in  our  land  under 
the  control  of  one  judicatory  of  supervision,  jurisdiction, 
and  appeal,  appears  to  the  writer  neither  desirable  nor 
safe.  It  would  be  a  distinct  approximation  to  a  new 
hierarchj.  Yerj  extensive  courts  are  too  cumbersome 
for  efficient  action,  business  is  retarded,  power  tends  to 
accumulation,  the  rights  of  conscience  are  in  danger  of 
being  infringed  either  by  statute,  or  by  an  accmnulated 
moral  influence  which  crushes  all  that  refuses  to  submit 
to  its  dictation. 

Moreover,  so  long  as  men  entertain  materially  differ- 
ent \'iews  of  government  and  modes  of  worship,  it  can- 
not be  conducive  to  harmony  or  edification,  to  compress 
them  into  any  one  form.  The  attempt  to  promote 
union  by  the  immediate  abandonment  of  existing  or- 
ganizations, would  seem  to  be  inexpedient  also  for  an- 
other reason.  Experience  proves  it  dangerous  suddenly 
to  unsettle  the  long  established  habits  of  the  commu- 
nity ;  lest  being  released  from  the  old,  they  fail  gene- 
rally to  settle  down  with  firmness  on  any  thing  new 
that  is  better.  An  attempt  to  break  up  existing  organ- 
izations would,  moreover,  cast  into  imcertainty  and 
confusion  the  various  interests  of  churcb.es  and  pastors, 
and  might  open  the  door  for  encroachment  of  the  strong 
upon  the  weak,  of  the  more  talented  on  the  less,  of  the 
rich  upon  the  poor.  It  is  a  dictate  of  wisdom  not  to 
place  ourselves  at  the  mercy  even  of  professed  Chris- 
tians when  we  can  avoid  it.  Accoi'dingly  the  first  fea- 
ture of  our  plan,  by  stipulating  that  each  denomination 
shall  retain  its  organization  as  long  as  it  shall  see  fit, 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


165 


provides  against  this  clanger,  and  leaves  each  denomi- 
nation as  an  independent  coramnnity  to  watcli  the  ef- 
fects of  the  other  features  hereafter  proposed,  and  de- 
cide for  itself  how  far  to  accede  to  the  terms  of  union, 
and  how  long  to  adhere  to  them.  It  also  provides  for 
the  indulgence  of  existing  diversities  and  preferences  so 
long  as  they  shall  continue ;  whilst  the  other  features 
will  gradually  tend  to  diminish  them  ;  thus  inviting  ex- 
ternal unif  )rmity  no  faster  than  unity  of  spirit  and  of 
views  has  fully  prepared  the  way.  And,  finally,  this 
feature  would  leave  untouched  the  relations,  govern- 
ment and  charters  of  the  various  religious,  theological 
and  benevolent  institutions,  whilst  the  goieral  plan  of 
union  would  promote  unity  of  spirit  and  efficient  co- 
operation among  them  all,  for  accelerating  the  grand 
enterprise  of  the  Christian  church  to  preach  the  gospel 
to  every  rational  creature. 

Second  Featlre.  Let  each  of  the  confedei^ated  de- 
nominations formally  o'esolve  for  itself^  not  to  disci- 
pline any  member  or  minister,  for  Jwldlng  a  doctrine 
believed  hy  any  other  denomination  whose  Christian 
character  they  acJaioivledge,  provided  his  deportment  he 
vnexceptionahle,  and  he  conform  to  the  rules  of  the  gov- 
ernment, discipline  and  worship  adopted  hy  said  denom- 
ination. This  would  bo  actually  retaining  in  good 
standing  all  M-hom  the  apostles  would  have  retained. 
And  yet,  such  is  the  influence  of  habit  and  long  famil- 
iarity with  sectarian  organizaticms,  that  to  some  this 
feature  of  our  plan  will  ajipear  altogether  impractica- 
ble. But  if  it  is  so  in  any  portion  of  the  church,  it 
must  be  from  want  of  Christian  charity,  of  that  gnTfc 
enjoined  l)y  the  apostle,  "not  to  judge  a  brother'''  (Ro- 


i66 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


mans  xiv.),  from  indisposition  or  inability  to  obey  the 
apostolic  precept,  to  receive  those  Avho  are  weak  in  the 
faith,  hut  not  to  douhtful  disjjniation.  If  then  it  be  only 
onr  want  of  charity  which  disqualifies  us  for  the  adop- 
tion of  this  featiu-e  of  union,  let  us  not  assail  it ;  but  set 
about  reforming  ourselves,  and  enlarging  our  hearts,  until 
they  cordially  respond  to  the  injunction  of  the  great  apos- 
tle of  the  Gentiles,  to  receive  those  who  are  weak  (in  our 
judgment,  defective)  in  the  faith ;  in  error,  as  Ave  think,  in 
some  minor  doctrines.  It  is  true,  the  apostle  Peter  de- 
nounced some  as  false  teachers,  and  Paul  commanded 
the  excommunication  of  others ;  but  what  were  the 
crimes  or  heresies  of  which  these  persons  were  con- 
victed ?  If  they  were  such  as  all  the  orthodox  churches 
would  unite  in  regarding  an  ample  ground  of  excom- 
munication ;  and  if  in  no  instance  the  apostles  enjoined 
discipline  for  a  point  which  any  orthodox  denomina- 
tion would  regard  a>  insufficient ;  then  the  apostolic 
example  affords  full  sanction  for  our  plan,  because  this 
is  exactly  the  ground  which  it  assumes,  and  by  its  pro- 
visions aU  would  be  excluded  whom  the  apostles  would 
reject ;  and  is  not  that  enough  ?  As  to  false  doctrine, 
we  find  Peter  denouncing  those  as  /"alse  teachers  who 
"  bring  in  damnable  heresies  {alpeaeiq  dnaXetag,  destruc- 
tive heresies  or  divisions),  den  i/ing  even  tJie  Lord  thai  bouffhi 
ihem.^'^  And,  it  is  scarcely  necessary  to  say,  that  such 
errorists  would  unhesitatingly  be  excluded  by  the  terms 
of  the  proposed  union,  as  they  also  were  from  the 
churches  of  the  earlier  centuries  by  the  apostles'  creed. 
Peter  denounced  Simon  Magus  as  "having  neither 


*  2  Pet.  ii :  1. 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


167 


part  nor  lot  in  this  matter,"  but  it  was  for  attempting 
to  bribe  the  apostles  and  lelieving  that  the  miraculous 
gifts  of  God  could  be  purchased  with  money.*  The 
apostle  Paul  wishes  the  Galatians  to  cut  off  certain  per- 
sons ;t  but  they  were  guilty  of  having  denied  the  doc- 
trine of  salvation  by  grace  on  account  of  the  merits  of 
Christ ;  they  made  "  Christ  of  no  effect,":}:  maintaining 
(professedly,  not  by  mere  inference  of  others)  that  men 
must  be  "justified  by  the  law;"§  thus  "preaching  an- 
other gospel,"!  and  denying  a  fundamental  doctrine, 
held  by  all  the  orthodox  denominations,  that  salvation 
is  by  grace,  through  the  merits  of  Christ.  And  in  his 
first  epistle  to  Timothy,  the  same  apostle  predicts,  that 
"  in  aftertimes  some  shaU  depart  (or  rather,  aposta- 
tize, aTToa-iiaovraL)  from  the  faith.  And  what  was  it  in 
them  which  he  denounced  as  aj)o.slaci/  from  the  faith  ? 
He  himself  informs  us,  that  it  was  "  giving  heed  to  se- 
ducing spirits,"  and  believing  the  doctrines  concerning 
(not  devils,  but  daijioi'liov  demons,  or)  inferior  deities, 
such  as  worshipped  heroes  or  saints,  "  speaking  lies  in 
hypocrisy,"  "  having  their  conscience  seared,"  "  forbid- 
ding to  marry  and  commanding  to  abstain  from  meats." 
Here  again  it  will  be  conceded,  that  any  church  deserv- 
ing the  name  of  orthodox,  would  not  hesitate  to  exclude 
any  one  who  should  be  chargeable  with  the  counts  sum- 
med ui)  by  the  apostle,  and  so  mournfully  applicable  to 
the  Roinish  church.  And,  finally,  the  beloved  apostle 
John  warns  his  readcre  against  some  false  teachers, 
whom  he  styles  antichrists,    liut  wliat  does  he  repre- 


*  Acts  viii :  0,  10.       f  Onl.  v  :  13.       i  Ibid,  v  :  ^       §  Acts  v  :  4. 
II  Gal.  i :  6,  f»,  0. 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


sent  them  as  teaching  ?  "  "Who  is  the  har,  but  he  who 
denieih  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ  (the  Messiah  promised  in 
the  Old  Testament)  ?  He  is  the  antichrist,  that  denieth 
the  Father  and  the  Son.'''*  And,  "  Many  deceivers  are 
entered  into  the  world,  who  do  not  confess  that  Jems 
Christ  came  into  the  world,  this  is  a  deceiver  and  an  anti- 
clirist."f  Now  these,  if  we  mistake  not,  are  all  the  in- 
stances in  which  the  apostles  either  expressly  enjoined 
excommunication  for  error  in  doctrine,  or  denounced 
the  errorists  in  language  implying  that  they  ought  to 
be  regarded,  not  as  erring  brethren,  but  as  aj^ostates 
from  Christianity ;  and,  as  not  one  of  these  errors  is 
held  by  any  of  the  so-called  orthodox  churches,  as  every 
one  of  them  is  denounced  by  them,  the  plan  we  propose 
would  reach  them  all,  and  thus  the  rigor  of  discipline 
be  quite  as  great  as  the  apostles  enjoined. 

In  addition  to  these  errors  in  doctrine,  the  apostle 
has  enumerated  a  list  of  practical  abuses,  as  proper 
causes  of  ecclesiastical  discipline,  lest  a  little  leaven  of 
sin  should  corrupt  the  whole  church;  namely,  incest,:}: 
fornication,  dishonesty  in  the  pursuit  of  wealth,  idola- 
try, railing,  drunkenness,  and  extortion.  To  this  class 
also  belongs  the  apostle's  injunction :  "  A  man  that  is  a 
schismatic  {aipzriKov,  a  maker  of  divisions  or  sects  or  par- 
ties in  the  church),§  after  the  first  and  second  admoui- 


*  1  John  ii :  22.  f  2  Jobu  v.  7.  %  1  Cor.  v  :  xi. 

§  Tliis  version,  after  much  examination,  seems  to  the  writer  the 
true  one.  It  is  sustained  by  tliree  fourths  of  the  best  critics,  such 
as  Micliiiclis,  ^^clilcusner,  Wuhl,  Do  Wette,  Stoltz,  Ileuinann,  Van 
Ess,  Seller,  etc.  Hut  should  ve  even  adopt  the  common  version,  the 
passage  is  inapijlicablc,  as  the  context  does  not  decide  what  errors 
tho  apostle  considered  herceies. 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


169 


tion  reject,"  and  that  of  tlie  Saviour  to  exclude  one 
"  who  ■will  not  hear  the  church."  Yet  as  these  are  not 
doctrinal  abeiTations,  they  are  not  affected  by  the  plan 
of  union,  since  its  first  feature  provides  that  each  de- 
nomination sliaU  retain  its  rules  of  government,  disci- 
pline and  worship,  or  modify  them  at  pleasure. 

And  is  there  no  passage  in  Scriptm'e  justifying  disci- 
pline for  doctrinal  errors  of  a  minor  grade  ?  The  apos- 
tle does,  indeed,  command  us  "  earnestly  to  contend  for 
the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints."  Yet,  as  he  does 
not  specify  how  we  ought  to  contend,  whether  by 
preaching,  or  writing,  or  ecclesiastical  discipline,  it  is 
uncertain  whether  discipline  was  meant.  And  admit- 
ting that  he  also  intended  discipline,  it  seems  reasona- 
ble that  it  should  be  employed  only  in  defence  of  those 
doctrines  which  were  certainly  delivered  to  the  saints ; 
and  he  could  not  have  meant  that  some  saints  should 
turn  their  brethren  out  of  the  church,  for  liolding  sen- 
timents which  othei-s  whom  they  acknowledged  to  be 
,  saints,  and  who  remained  in  the  church,  believed  to  be 
I  a  part  of  the  gospel  of  Christ.  If  excommunicatio:i 
were  one  of  the  appointed  means  for  asreiiainwg  the 
truth,  it  might  with  i)ropriety  be  applied  in  doubtful 
I  f  cases.  But  the  New  Testament  represents  it  as  a  pen- 
alty, to  be  inflicted  on  those  who  have  so  criminally  and 
materially  forsaken  the  jjath  of  truth  or  of  virtue,  as  to 
i  be  imworthy  of  the  Christian  name.*  Hence  it  ought 
not  to  be  ajjplied  in  reference  to  points  on  which  Chris- 
tians of  ccpial  piety,  talent  and  grace  are  in  debate, 
whether  they  belong  to  the  gospel  of  Christ  or  not. 


*  Matt,  xviil :  17. 

8 


I/O 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL, 


That  we  are  not  allowed,  in  ref!;ard  to  matters  dis- 
puted among  Christians,  to  act  as  if  we  were  certainly 
right,  is  evident  from  the  express  injunctions  of  the 
apostles  to  the  contrar3^  We  are  commanded  to  "re- 
ceive him  that  is  weak  in  the  faith  (him  who,  in  our 
judgment,  is  in  error  on  some  points)  ;  but  not  to  doubt- 
ful disputations"  (not  for  the  purpose  of  disputing' 
about  his  scruples,  or  deciding  on  them)."^"  Again, 
"  Let  every  one  be  fully  persuaded  in  his  own  mind." 
Again,  "  Why  dost  thou  judge  (condemn)  thy  brother? 
or  why  dost  thou  set  at  nought  thy  brother  ?  for  we 
shall  all  stand  before  the  judgment-seat  of  Christ. "f 
Paul  warns  Timothy  against  "  doting  about  questions 
and  strifes  of  words,  whereof  come  envy,  strifes,  rail- 
ings, evil  surmisings  (unjust  suspicions),  perverse  dis- 
putings  of  men  of  corrupt  minds,''  etc.^  Again,  "  Of 
these  things  put  them  in  remembrance,  charging  them 
before  the  Lord,  that  they  strive  not  about  words  to  no 
profit,  but  to  the  subverting  of  the  hearers."  And 
again,  "  Follow  charity,  peace,  with  them  that  call  on 
the  Lord  out  of  a  pure  heart ;  but  foolish  and  (diratdevTnvg) 
untaught  questions  {questions  xoliicli  Jiad  not  heen  de- 
cided hy  the  apostles)  avoid,  knowing  that  they  do  gen- 
der strifes. ''§ 

We  are,  therefore,  commanded  on  the  one  hand  to 
"  cut  off  those  antichrists  who  preach  another  gospel," 
and  on  the  other,  not  to  judge  (condemn,  or  pass  sen- 
tence on)  him  whom,  on  the  whole,  we  regard  as  a 
brother ;  but  to  receive  him  and  to  avoid  foolish  and 


*  Rom.  xiv  :  1.  f  xiv :  5—10.  X  1  Tim.  vi :  4  . 

§2Tim.ii:  U,  23 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


171 


untaught  questions,  questions  not  clearly  decided  in 
ScEiPTUEE.  If  we  unite  these  two  precepts  into  one, 
tliey  will  be  equivalent,  we  tliink,  to  the  general  com- 
mand to  discipline  men  for  denying  what  is  certainly 
an  essential  part  of  the  gospel  of  Christ,  but  not  for 
any  doctrine  about  which  acknowledged  Christians  dif- 
fer, and  which  is  therefore  doubtful.  For  we  suppose 
the  following  rule  will  be  found  a  fair,  safe  and  tangi- 
ble one :  "  Tliat  all  those  doctrines  which  the  great  hody 
of  all  Christians  whom  God  has  owned  hy  his  grace  and 
Spirit,  and  who  have  free  access  to  the  Scriptures,  agree 
in  finding  in  them,  are  certainly  tauglit  there  ;  and  all  those 
points  on  which  they  differ  are  less  certain,  are  doublful. 
This  rule  is  based  on  the  dictates  of  common  sense, 
that  if  the  Scriptures  are  a  revelation  from  God  to  man, 
they  must  on  all  points  necessary  to  salvation,  be  intel- 
ligible to  all  impartial  and  competent  inquirers ;  and 
that  true  Christians,  who  are  engaged  in  daily  efforts  to 
serve  God,  and  who  bear  in  their  hearts  and  exhibit  in 
their  lives  the  evidences  of  God's  grace  and  Spirit,  are 
the  most  sincere,  impartial  and  competent  inquirers 
into  his  word.  Xow  we  suppose,  that  the  great  mass 
of  true  Christians  in  our  land  will  be  conqjrohcnded 
not  in  any  one  sect,  but  in  the  aggregate  of  all  the  or- 
thodox Protestant  denominations. 

Again,  the  judgment  of  each  denomination,  as  to  the 
most  important  points  of  doctrine  taught  in  the  Scrip- 
tures is  confessedly  set  forth  by  the  creed  which  it  pro- 
fesses. Hence  those  doctrines  which  are  taught  in  com- 
mon by  the  creeds  of  all  the'BO-called  orthodox  Protest- 
ant denominations,  and  as  far  as  thus  unitedly  taught, 
nuvy  l)e  safely  regarded  as  clearly  revealed  in  the  Itnok 


172 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


of  God.  "We  limit  the  rule  to  Protestant  denominations, 
because  in  the  papal  sect,  the  mass  of  the  people  have 
not  access  to  the  word  of  God,  and  believe  the  doctrines 
of  their  creed  simply  because  their  church  teaches  them. 
It  is  limited  to  orthodox  denominations,  because  there 
are  unhappily  some  in  our  land  professing  to  receive  the 
Scriptures,  but  in  reahty  rejecting  their  divine  inspira- 
tion, and,  as  we  are  constrained  to  believe,  denying  the 
Lord  that  bought  them,  and  preaching  another  Christ. 
Let  it  not  be  supposed,  that  this  rule  resembles  that  of  the 
Eomanists,  who  explain  the  Scriptures  according  to  the 
pretended  mianimous  consent  of  the  fatliers ;  for  those 
fathers  instead  of  constituting  the  great  mass  or  major- 
ity of  behevers  in  any  age,  were  not  one  in  a  million. 
Nor  could  the  mass  of  believers  in  any  age  fall  under 
our  rule,  unless  they  had  fi'ce  and  uncontrolled  access 
to  the  Scriptures,  either  in  the  original,  if  its  languages 
were  vernacular  to  them,  or  in  a  faithful  version.  It 
could  therefore  apply  only  to  the  Protestant  churches, 
and  to  the  churches  of  the  first  few  centuries  before 
ecclesiastical  enactments  intei-fered  with  the  free  un- 
biassed use  of  the  Scriptures.  And  concerning  the 
opinions  of  the  mass  of  believers  in  the  earlier  centuries, 
we  know  next  to  nothing,  except  that  they  received  the 
so-called  Apostles'  creed. 

"We  are  thus  conducted,  by  Scripture  and  reason,  to 
the  ado])tion  of  the  second  feature  of  the  proposed 
catholic  union,  namely,  not  to  discipline  a  hi'other,  whose 
deportment  is  miexceptionahle,  and  who  conforms  to  our 
existing  regulations  of  government,  discipline  and  wor- 
ship, for  holding  a  doctrine  helieved  hj  any  acknowl- 
edged orthodox  denomination.    This  practice,  so  far  as 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


1/3 


the  Scriptures  enable  us  to  judge,  accords  witli  that  of 
the  apostolic  churches  ;  it  certainly  agrees  Avith  the 
practice  of  the  church  in  the  first  three  centui-ies  after 
the  apostles^ for  thev  disciplined  only  for  the  denial  of 
a  doctrine  taught  in  the  Apostles'  creed,  all  of  which 
doctrines  are  received  b^,  every  orthodox  denomination. 
jS'ot  one  of  the  distinguishing  points  on  wliich  Protest- 
ants differ  is  determined  in  either  the  Apostles'  or  the 
Nicene  creed,  and  therefore  it  is  indisputable,  that  any- 
one of  these  denominations  would  have  been  received 
and  retained  (not  disciplined)  bj  all  other  portions  of 
the  so-called  universal  (catholic)  church. 

And  why  ought  not  the  different  branches  of  the 
Protestant  church  to  adopt  this  rule?  That  persons 
differing  on  these  disputed  doctrinal  points,  but  agree- 
ing in  their  views  of  church  government,  discipline  and 
mode  of  \yorship,  can  live  harmoniously  in  the  same 
church,  and  cooperate  cordially  in  the  duties  and  priv- 
ileges of  church  members,  is  not  a  matter  of  mere  specu- 
lative conjecture.  It  is  a  notorious  fact  that  in  every 
denomination  there  are  not  a  few  among  the  pious  laity, 
living  and  cordially  cooperating  in  the  same  church, 
who  differ  from  each  other  as  much  as  the  creeds  of  the 
several  denominations  difler.  The  writer  has  person- 
ally known  many  instances  of  ihis  kind  in  Lutheran, 
Presbyterian  and  Episcopal  churches,  and  has  no  doubt 
that  cases  equally  frequent  occur  in  other  denominations. 
If  this  can  be  done  by  pious  laymen,  there  is  no  reason 
why  pious  ministers  could  not  live  together  in  the  same 
unity  of  spirit,  notwithstanding  minor  diffcrenciis  in 
doctrinal  views;  especially  if  they  were  taught  in  their 
theological  course  themselves  to  regard  as  less  im]>orfant 


174 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


the  several  points  wliicli  separate  the  orthodox  churches, 
and  in  their  public  exercises  to  laj  the  more  stress  on 
the  cardinal  doctrines  of  the  christian  scheme.  But  the 
feasibility  of  this  principle  ought  not  to  be  regarded  as 
problematical.  The  thing  can  be  done,  for  it  has  been 
done,  repeatedly,  on  a  large  scale,  and  in  different 
churches.  It  has  been  acted  on  in  the  American 
Lutheran  church  for  some  time.  About  ten  years 
ago,'^  the  writer,  by  appointment  of  the  General 
Synod,  drafted  a  Constitution  for  Synods,  which  has 
been  adopted  by  all  the  Synods  connected  with  it. 
Entertaining,  then,  the  views  which  he  is  now  advocat- 
ing, this  constitution  was  made  to  require  of  candidates 
for  licensure  and  ordination,  unconditional  assent  to  the 
Bible  as  the  inspired  word  of  God  and  only  infallible  rule 
of  faith  and  practice,  but  only  to  its  fundamental  doc- 
trines as  taught  in  the  Augsburg  Confession.  The  plan 
has  worked  well,  decidedly  well.  In  some  portions  of 
Europe  also,  such  as  Sweden  and  Denmark,  Avhere  the 
entire  population  often  belongs  to  one  Protestant  church, 
all  the  j)eople  worship  together  in  harmony  and  with 
edihcation,  regardless  of  existing  diversities  of  opinion. 
It  is  well  known  that  in  the  Episcopal  church  ministers 
of  different  doctrinal  views  exist  and  labor  in  friendship. 
"  Perhaps  *'  (says  the  liberal  and  amiable  author  of 
'Hints  on  CathoHc  Union,'  f)  ''there  is  not  a  shade  or 
variety  of  theological  opinion,  within  the  circle  of 
evangelical  truth,  that  has  not  had  an  advocate  among 

*  Now  forty,  in  1S70. 

t  Sec  Hints  on  Catholic  Union,  l)y  a  Presbyter  of  tlio  Protostunt 
Episcopal  Church,  p.  40.    New  York,  18CG. 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


175 


the  divines  of  the  Church  of  England."  "  The  United 
Christian  Churches  established  in  Scotland,  including 
Cahnnists,  Baxterians,  Presbyterians,  Baptists,  Inde- 
pendents and  Methodists  are  said  to  exhibit  the  dehght- 
ful  spectacle  of  christians  of  almost  every  variety  of 
sentiment  entertained  by  the  orthodox,  walking  toge- 
ther in  harmony  and  love."*  Xow  this  is  receiving 
into  the  same  church  persons  differing  materially  about 
the  mode  of  worship  and  church  government,  whilst 
our  plan  proposes  that  persons  differing  on  these  points 
should  remain  in  their  own  denominations.  In  the 
Presbyterian  Church  also  a  large  number  of  ministers 
liave  believed  in  general  atonement,  whilst  others, 
agreeably  to  their  Confession,  consider  the  atonement 
as  hmited.  Yet  these  brethren  have  generally  lived 
together  and  cooperated  in  peace  until  recently.  At 
present,  for  reasons,  into  which  our  design  does  not  urge 
us  to  inquire,  these  difi'ering  brethren  in  the  Presby- 
terian Church  arc  engaged  in  warm  disputations,  whilst 
among  our  Episcopal  brethren  the  same  differences  stiU 
exist  and  are  regarded  with  Christian  charity,  f  And 
why  should  a  Presby  terian  who  regards  a  dissentient 
EpiscopaHan  or  a  Methodist  as  a  brother,  condemn  the 
member  of  his  own  church  or  ministry,  who  holds 
similar  views  ^  ^^^hy  sliould  any  man  regard  that  as 
heresy  in  a  Presbyterian,  which,  in  a  Methodist  or  Epis- 


*  Harris  on  Union,  p.  207. 
f  Soon  after  tlii^  Btatcniont  wiis.  first  published,  in  1839,  tho  great 
Bcliism  was  brou^fbt  about,  by  those  wlio  deemed  it  danpcrons  to 
tolerate  those  ditl'erences  ;  but  thirty  years  of  divided  existence  have 
cf)nvinced  them  of  tlicir  error,  and  a  blessed  union  has  recently 
been  effected  to  the  praise  and  glory  of  Owl. 


1/6 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


copalian,  is,  according  to  liis  o^xn  judgment,  consistent 
■witli  christian  character,  and  comports  with  a  life  of 
acknowledged  piety  and  usefulness?  The  only  con- 
ceivable difference  is,  that  the  one  may  be  regarded  as 
violating  the  obligation  of  his  creed,  whilst  the  others 
do  not  violate  it.  This  is  indeed  highly  important  to 
the  character  of  the  individual.  ISTo  man  should  teach 
a  doctrine  which  he  beHeves  to  be  inconsistent  with  the 
creed  of  his  chm-ch,  if  he  pledged  himself  to  uphold 
every  individual  doctrine  contained  in  it,  and  if  his 
promise  was  not,  as  some  suppose  it  to  be,  a  promise  to 
receive  the  confession  as  teaching  the  general  system  of 
truth  revealed  in  Scripture.  If  there  be  diversity  of 
opinion  as  to  the  nature  of  the  subscription  to  a  creed, 
whether  it  binds  to  every  individual  doctrine,  or  only 
to  the  system  of  tinths  contained  in  it ;  this  point  ought 
doubtless  to  he  first  settled.^'    AVhilst  it  remains  under 


*  It  lias  been  asserted  on  the  authority  of  early  records  that  the 
principle  of  liberal  construction  was  adopted  near  the  origin  of  the 
Presbyterian  church  in  this  country,  and  was  practiced  on  ;  and  the 
fact  appears  to  be  established  by  the  testimony  of  President  Davies 
published  in  the  "  American  Quarterly  Register "  for  May,  1837, 
p.  316.  In  an  extract  from  his  diary,  during  a  visit  to  England 
in  behalf  of  Princeton  College,  under  date  March  nineteenth, 
1754,  we  find  the  following  reply  given  by  Mr.  Davies  to  Mr.  Prior, 
who  inquired,  whether  the  Presbyterians  in  America  would  admit 
any  person  to  the  ministry,  without  his  subscribing  the  Westuiiu- 
stcr  Confession  :  "I  replied  that  we  allowed  the  candidate  to  men- 
tion his  objections  against  any  article  in  the  Confession,  and  the 
judicature  judged  whetlier  the  articles  objected  against  were  essen- 
tial to  Christianity  ;  and  if  tlie}-  judged  they  were  not,  they  would 
admit  tlie  candidate  notwitlistanding  his  objections,  lie  (Mr.  Prior) 
seemed  to  think  that  we  were  such  rigid  Calvinists  that  we  would 
not  admit  an  Arminian  to  communion." 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


177 


dispute,  every  attempt  at  discipline  will  be  encumbered 
by  a  double  issue.  The  friends  of  liberal  construction 
will  imdertake  to  prove  that  they  have  not  abandoned 
the  creed  (meaning  its  general  system  of  truth) ;  whilst 
the  advocates  of  rigid  construction  -will  prove  that  they 
have  not  adhered  to  every  individual  doctrine,  and  will 
expatiate  on  the  guilt  of  violating  the  obligation  im- 
posed by  the  confession. 

"Would  it  not  be  far  better  for  both  parties  first 
solemnly  to  examine  a  preliminary  question,  on  the 
decision  of  which  the  propriety  or  impropriety  of  their 
course  wholly  depends ;  would  it  not  be  more  logical, 
more  philosophical,  and  above  all  more  christian,  first 
to  inquire  whether  they  have  a  right  from  apostoUo 
precept  or  example,  to  hind  either  tJtemselves  or  others 
to  more  than  the  fundamental  truths  of  christian  doc- 
trine, and  to  as  many  points  of  government,  discipline 
a/nd  worship  as  are  actually  necessary  to  harmonious 
cooperation  ?  If  the  views  of  this  Appeal  be  correct, 
then  subscription  to  transfundamental  doctrinal  creeds 
is  always  wrong,  and  if  Avrong  then  it  ceases  to  be  bind- 
ing so  soon  as  its  impropriety  is  seen,  and  ought  to  be 
retracted,  whilst  the  creed  should  be  reduced  to  funda- 
mentals, or  subscription  be  required  only  "  to  the  funda- 
mental doctrines  of  the  Bible  as  contained  in  the  creed." 
For,  after  the  failure  of  extended  creeds  to  produce  un- 
animity, and  after  their  tendency  to  cause  strife  and 
divide  the  hody  of  Christ  have  become  as  certain  as  any 
other  matter  <f  historical  record  why  should  Protest- 
ants continue  to  bind  either  themselves,  or  others  to 
them  ?  Especially,  as  such  extended  creeds  were  un- 
heard of  in  the  dnys  of  the  apostles,  and  for  hundreds 
8* 


178 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


of  years  after?  If  the  same  word  of  God  wliicli  we 
now  possess,  when  aided  bj  the  oral  instruction  and  the 
personal  example  of  the  apostles,  did  not  produce  entire 
unanimity  among  the  primitive  Christians,  how  could 
it  be  expected  to  effect  more  at  the  present  time  ?  Or, 
why  should  we  require  greater  unanimity  tlian  the 
primitive  Christians  did,  as  a  term  of  ecclesiastical 
communion  ? 

So  long  as  there  is  the  same  diversity  of  talent,  of 
mental  temperament,  of  habits  of  education,  and  of 
supposed  interest,  such  diversity  will  continue  to  exist. 
Nor  ought  it  to  be  regarded  as  necessarily  criminal,  or 
as  inconsistent  with  christian  fellowship  and  fidelity. 
Difference  on  non-essentials  has  no  perceptible  influence 
on  christian  character  and  practice.  There  are  differ- 
ences in  other  departments  of  human  knowledge,  and 
some  even  connected  with  religion,  of  equal  magnitude, 
such  as  the  value  of  a  death-bed  repentance,  the  mode 
of  treating  awakened  sinners  and  of  conducting  revivals, 
etc.,  and  yet,  because  these  points  are  not' settled  in  the 
creed,  men  agree  to  differ  on  them — their  peace  and  har- 
monious cooperation  are  rarely  disturbed  for  any  length 
of  time;  for  as  Luther  justly  remarked,  uUd  est  con- 
cordia  Jidei,  alia  charitatis.  Such  variety  of  opinions 
on  non-fundamentals,  moreover,  may  even  exert  a 
salutary  tendency,  may  stimulate  men  to  inquiry  and 
peaceful  discussion,  thus  keeping  alive  a  healthful  s]-)ii'it 
of  investigation,  and  preventing  the  indifference,  which 
some  have  apprehended  might  result  from  the  absence 
of  extensive  creeds. 

Under  the  operation  of  this  feature  of  imion,  full 
liberty  of  investigation  would  be  allowed  within  the 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


179 


Lounds  of  fundauientals,  without  tlie  danger  of  exclusion 
from  house  aud  home,  or  pastoral  charge.  And,  is  it 
not  reasonable  to  suspect  that  that  system  which  cannot 
trust  itself  to  the  full  and  unbiassed  influence  of  God's 
word  without  the  artificial  aid  of  creeds,  and  those 
peculiarities  wJiich  need  to  he  histilled  hito  the  youth- 
fvl  mind  more  explicitly  than  tJie  Bible  teaches  them, 
lest  they  he  lost,  are  eiToneous,  are  not  worth  keeping ; 
and  that  permitting  tlicm  to  become  obsolete  would 
only  advance  the  unity  of  the  church  ?  Every  disciple 
of  Christ  ought  to  be  willing  to  see  the  peculiarities  of 
his  own  denomination  cast  into  the  crucible  of  God's 
word,  and  exposed  to  the  unrestrained  action  of  Bible 
truth  and  Bible  principles,  iu  order  that  the  truth  of 
God  might  thus  be  gradually  developed  in  its  full 
purity  over  the  whole  church,  the  breaches  in  Zion's 
walls  be  healed,  and  one  peculiar  people,  zealous  of  good 
works,  be  raised  up  to  God.  The  writer  takes  pleasure 
in  being  able  to  cite  in  sujjport  of  his  position  the 
opinion  of  that  distinguished  servant  of  God,  Calvin, 
whose  zeal  against  fundamental  errorists  will  not  be 
disputed,  but  whose  magnanimous  liberality  in  refer- 
ence to  all  but  fundamentals,  appears  to  be  but  little 
known  and  still  less  appreciated,  lie  even  goes  much 
further  than  our  plan  of  union  proposes,  and  dissiuules 
from  schism,  if  a  church  neglect  to  discipline  for  the 
grossest  immoralities;  whilst  our  jilan  proposes,  I  hat  in 
regard  to  goverimient,  discipline  and  mode  of  worship, 
each  one  shall,  as  herctcjfore,  connect  himself  witli  that 
branch  of  the  church,  whose  forms  he  believes  best  cal- 
culated to  advance  the  kingdom  of  the  Kedecmcr.  Tlio 
language,  in  a  letter  to  Farrel,  is  this  :  "  1  only  contend. 


i8o 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


for  this,  tliat  they  should  not  create  schism  in  any  church, 
which,  altlhough  veinj  corrupt  in  morals,  and  infected 
with  strange  doctrines,  had  not  entirely  departed  from 
that  doctrine,  on  tohlch  Paid  informs  us  the  Church  of 
Christ  is  founded.'^  And  it  was  in  the  same  spirit 
of  hberahty  that,  as  he  himself  informs  us,  he  suhscribed 
to  the  Augsburg  or  Lutlieran  Confession  of  Faith,  and 
declares  the  points  of  difterence  between  the  Protestant 
churches  of  his  day,  an  insufficient  canse  for  division. f 
The  propriety  of  this  feature,  not  to  discipline  a 
brother  for  an  opinion  entertained  by  a  sister  church 
being  established,  it  is  certainly  no  small  recommenda- 
tion of  it,  that  its  adoption  would  effect  a  consummation 
most  devoutly  to  be  wished,  which  would  cause  joy 
among  the  angels  in  heaven,  no  less  than  among  the 
saints  on  earth.  It  would  banish  from  the  church  those 
unholy  and  unhappy  scenes  of  discord,  prosecution  and 
persecution  among  brethren,  for  the  exercise  of  the  un- 
alienable rights  of  conscience,  which  have  caused  angels 
to  weep,  and  made  the  church  a  by-word  among  the 
foes  of  God.  The  discussions  Avhich  might  still  occur, 
being  stripped  of  all  penal  reference,  would  be  conducted 
with  moderation,  and  tend  to  the  advancement  of 
truth. 

Third  Featuke.  Xet  a  creed  he  adopted  including 
only  the  doctrines  held  in  common  hy  all  tlte  orthodox 

*  Hoc  unum  contentlebam,  ne  schismate  sriiidcrcnt  qualomcumquo 
ecclpsiuin,  (jucr,  utouiuiiic  cssot  corruptissima  inoribus,  doctrinis  elium 
exoticis  iiil'ectu,  non  tamen  dcsoivcrit  pciiitus  ab  ca  doctrina  qua 
ecclusiam  Chriiiti  fundari  docet  Paul  us.    Cal.  Ei)ist.  Opp.    IX.,  p.  0. 

t  Epist.  Sclialingli),  p.  113.  Farello,  p.  9.  Mason's  Plea,  p.  183, 
183. 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


i8i 


Christian  denominations,  to  he  termed  the  Apostolic^ 
Protestant  Confession,  and  let  this  same  creed  he  used 
hy  all  denominations  as  the  term  of  sacramental,  ecclesi- 
astical and  ministerial  communion.  To  this  each  de- 
nominatiou  would  add  its  present  Formularies  for 
goveiTiment,  discipline  and  mode  of  ■worship,  which  it 
might  also  change  or  amend  from  time  to  time,  at  its 
own  option,  and  in  its  own  way.  Each  denomination 
might  also  use  its  former  creed  as  a  book  of  instruction 
to  whatever  extent  it  saw  proper. 

The  new  creed  should  consist  of  two  parts,  (a)  The 
so-called  Apostle's  Creed.*  This  little  formulary  has 
already  been  adopted  by  four-fifths  of  the  Protestant 
church,  by  the  Lutherans  in  the  diiFerent  kingdoms  of 
Europe,  by  the  Episcojjalians  in  Europe  and  America, 
and  by  the  Presbyterian  church  in  this  country  and 
pi-obably  also  in  Great  Britain.  The  doctrines  contain- 
ed in  it  are  embraced  by  every  orthodox  Protestant  de- 
nomination on  earth.  The  adoption  of  this  confession 
would  estal)lish  the  doctrinal  identity  of  the  confeder- 
ated churches,  with  that  of  the  apostolic  age,  and  of  the 
first  four  centuries ;  which  is  a  matter  of  no  small 
moment  in  the  popular  mind,  and  has  been  too  much 
neglected  by  Protestants,  (b)  The  second  part  should 
be  styled  The  United  Protestant  Confession,  consisting 
of  a  selection  of  those  articles  from  the  existin<r  creeds 
of  the  prominent  Protestant  churches,  in  which  all  can 
agree,  taking  but  one  article  on  each  subject.  As  each 
of  these  churches  acknowledges  tlie  Christian  character 
of  the  others,  they  all  virtually  admit,  that  the  creed 


*  For  a  copy  of  this  Creed,  sec  p.  109. 


l82 


FRATERXAL  APPEAL. 


of  each  cliurcli  contaius  every  thino;  essential  on  tliedoc- 
trine  of  which  any  given  article  treats ;  whilst  each  one 
believes  the  creed  of  the  other  to  contain  minor  erroi's 
on  some  points.  Now,  if  a  selection  can  he  made  f  rom 
all  the  creeds^  which  %oill  contain  an  article  on  every 
to_piG  necessary  to  he  introduced,  and  yet  not  include  any 
jpeculiar  aspects  of  doctrines  on  which  the  parties  differ  / 
all  denominations  can  evidently  adopt  it  j  for  they 
fdly  T)elieve  it,  and  have  already  aclcnowledged  its 
christian  character  hy  acknowledging  as  brethren  those 
who  profess  it..  And  if,  in  order  to  complete  such  a 
creed,  it  would  be  necessary  to  strike  out  some  minor 
specifications  from  any  article  of  the  existing  creeds,  in 
order  to  make  it  unexceptionable  to  all  j^arties,  it  is 
evident,  that  if  nothing  he  added,  all  can  still  adopt  it, 
because  the  thing  erased  must  be  non-essential,  as  it  is 
one  on  which  tlie  confederated  denominations  differ. 

It  might  be  thought  preferable  by  some,  that  a  general 
council  of  the  liberal-minded  of  all  denominations  should 
be  called  to  deliberate  and  form  an  original  creed,  cov- 
ering the  common  ground  of  the  Protestant  churches. 
But  the  testimony  of  experience  does  not  speak  loudly  in 
favor  of  the  probable  results  of  such  a  convention.  The 
whole  field  of  theological  topics  would  have  to  be  passed 
ov^er,  and  the  discussions  entered  on  anew  which  were 
passed  through  in  the  original  formation  of  the  several 
creeds.  In  this  process,  the  facts  and  acknowledged 
doctrines  of  Christianity  would  probably  be  again 
commingled  with  the  disputed  relations  and  philosophi- 
cal explanations  of  thenj,  and  no  harmonious  result  be 
achieved.  The  ambition,  passion  or  overbearing  dis- 
position of  some  disputant^-,  might  di.'^tnrb  the  harmony 


REMEDY  FOR  THESK  EVILS. 


183 


of  the  assembly,  and  wound  the  brethren  of  more  pacific 
spirit.  But  by  tlie  far  simpler  plan  here  proposed,  all 
these  dilBoulties  are  obviated.  AVe  have  in  the  creed 
of  each  denomination  the  result  of  its  deliberations  on 
all  these  points.  Taking  these  as  the  separate  voices 
of  the  different  churches,  we  can  by  the  principles  above 
suggested,  without  difficulty  frame  one  creed,  in  which 
these  voices  shall  unitedly  be  heard  proclaiming  the 
common  faith  of  all  God's  people.  As  the  method  pro- 
posed neither  requires  nor  admits  the  compositio7i  of  a 
single  original  sentence,  it  will  not  be  thought  presump- 
tuous in  the  writer  to  attempt  the  application  of  his  own 
rules.  lie  has  accordingly  formed  such  a  Protestant  con- 
fession, and  appended  it  to  this  Appeal. 

These  two  parts  would  constitute  the  Apostolic,  Prot- 
estant Confession,  required  by  the  third  feature  of  the 
proposed  union.  The  necessity  and  advantages  of  such 
a  creed  are  evident. 

1.  In  order  to  herp  heretics  nut  of  the  church  of  God. 
The  duty  of  the  church  to  exclude  from  her  communion 
all  who  deny  a  fundamental  doctrine,  is  admitted  by  all 
Avhose  union  is  contemplated  in  tliis  plan.  The  apostle 
John  expressly  declares,  "  If  there  come  any  imto  you, 
and  bring  not  this  doctrine,"  (concerning  the  pei«on  of 
Christ,  his  rcr:il  and  not  merely  feigned  appearance  in 
the  flesh,  as  the  gnostics  asserted,  v.  7,  and  1  John  4 :  2,) 
"  receive  him  not  into  your  house,  neither  bid  him  God 
speed ;  for  he  that  biddetli  him  God  speed  is  partaker 
of  his  evil  deeds."  *  Xow  in  order  to  bring  men  to  the 
test,  whose  fundamental '  soundness  is  suspected,  it  is 


*  2  John  10.  11. 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


absolutely  necessary  to  have  a  creed,  either  written  or 
nuncupatory.  But  whilst  the  principle  of  both  is  the 
same,  a  written  creed  has  many  confessed  advantages, 
and  must  necessarily  constitute  one  feature  of  our 
catholic  union.  And  having  thus  enlarged  the  ground 
of  christian  forbearance,  and  confined  the  test  to  the 
truths  held  in  common  by  the  orthodox  churches,  the 
utmost  fidelity  and  uncompromising  spirit  ought,  and 
it  is  believed,  Avould  be  displayed,  in  the  discipline  and 
the  excommunication  of  any  and  every  one  wlio  denies 
a  single  doctrine  actually  taught  (not  by  inference)  in 
the  common  creed.  One  principal  cause  of  laxity  in 
executing  discipline  for  doctrinal  deviations  from  the 
different  creeds,  is  undoubtedly  the  conviction,  derived 
from  Scripture  and  reason,  that  the  en'ors  impugned 
are  often  too  trifling  to  deserve  discipline. 

2.  Such  a  ci'eed  is  necessary^  to  give  prominence  to  the 
great,  acknowledged  truths  of  Christianity. 

{a)  It  has  been  doubted  whether  it  is  possible  to  give 
special  prominence  to  the  grand  doctrines  of  Christian- 
ity, without  becoming  incoherent,  or  illogical,  or  vapid ; 
but  its  practicability  has  often  been  demonstrated  by 
facts,  and  ought  therefore  not  to  be  disputed.  The 
writer  many  years  ago,  for  some  time  attended  the 
preaching  in  the  college  chapel  at  Princeton,  where  the 
professors  of  the  Seminary  and  College  alternately 
officiated,  all  of  whom  were  Calvinists ;  yet  he  rarely 
heard  a  sentiment  conflicting  with  Lutheranism,  and 
very  rarely  heard  the  peculiarities  of  any  sect  intro- 
duced. The  reason  is,  that  those  excellent  men,  feeling 
that  there  were  in  that  college,  students  from  all 
churches,  were  disposed  to  avoid  unnccossiry  offence, 


REMEDV  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


185 


and  yet  they  dwelt  on  the  -whole  circle  of  undisputed 
Christian  doctrine.  jSTone  who  heard  tliein  would  wish, 
more  edifying,  praoticul  and  pi'ofitable  preaching.  The 
volume  of  Sermons  and  Addresses  by  Dr.  Green,  pub- 
lished soon  after  he  resigned  the  presidency  of  that  in- 
stitution, probably  contains  some  of  the  sermons  then 
delivered  by  him.  Of  that  volume  a  review  was  soon 
after  published  in  the  Christian  Advocate,  and  the 
WTiter  distinctly  recollects  that  the  reviewer  applauded 
the  imsectarian  character  of  the  discourses,  and  pro- 
nounced them  free  from  every  thing  to  whicb  Christians 
of  any  religious  denomination  could  witli  propriety  ob- 
ject. The  opinion  of  the  reviewer  is  cited  because  tlio 
■WTiter  lias  not  read  the  work,  and  tlierefoi-e  could  not 
speak  for  himself.  As  indisputable  specimens  of  most 
excellent  religious  discussion  confined  to  the  undisputed 
truths  of  ChriBtiunity,  the  connnon  ground  of  the 
orthodox  churches,  we  may  cite  the  publications  of  the 
American  Tract  Society,  and  of  the  American  Sunday 
School  Union.  We  might  cite  the  Sermons  of  President 
Davies,  Doddridge's  Rise  and  Progress  of  Religion  in 
the  Soul,  Burder's  Village  Sermons,  and  a  number  of 
other  invaluable  works  as  substantially  confined  to  the 
grand,  cardinal  doctrines  of  Christianity.  And  is  it  not  a 
notorious  fact  that  these  and  other  similar  publications, 
are  the  works  wliich  have  exerted  the  greatest  influence 
in  producing  the  evangelical  spirit  and  enterprise  of  tlie 
present  day?  Has  not  the  blessed  Saviour  so  signally 
blessed  these  works,  above  all  others  of  a  sectarian 
character,  as  specially  to  encourage  their  nndti[)lication, 
not  indeed  so  as  to  exclude  others,  but  to  give  greater 
l)rominence  to  these? 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


(l)  Prominence  ouglit  to  be  given  to  these  undisputed 
doctrines,  because  they  alone  are  certainly  tette.  It  has 
been  stated  that  the  aggregate  of  doctrines  believed  bv 
the  different  orthodox  denominations  may  be  divided 
into  two  classes,  those  that  are  believed  by  tliem  all,  and 
those  which  are  believed  by  some  and  disbelieved  by 
others.  As  men  of  equal  piety,  talent  and  learning 
differ  in  respect  to  the  latter,  it  is  but  just  to  suppose 
that  they  are  not  so  dearhj  revealed,  and  so  definitely 
decided  by  Scripture,  as  those  points  "which  all  agree  in 
finding  in  that  sacred  book.  And  as  they  are  not  so 
clearly  revealed,  they  cannot  be  essential  to  salvation, 
nor  so  certain  in  themselves,  if  our  knowledge  of  them 
is  derived  from  revelation  alone. 

Moreover,  no  one  Protestant  sect  is  more  numerous 
than  all  the  others  together.  The  Lutheran  church, 
which  is  by  far  the  largest,  numbers,  according  to  the 
best  authorities,  a  population  of  about  30,000,000,* 
whilst  all  other  Protestant  denominations  togetlier 
amount  to  about  50,000,000.t  Hence,  it  is  evident 
that  the  peculiar,  distinguishing  doctrine  of  each  sect  is 
disbelieved  by  the  majority  of  Protestants.  If  a  dis- 
puted doctrine  be  common  to  several  of  the  larger  sects, 
it  then  has  a  majority  of  all  Protestants  in  its  favor,  and 
the  probability  of  its  biblical  authority  is  augmented. 
But  those  doctrines  alone  can  be  regarded  as  certainh/ 
scriptural,  which  the  great  mass  of  all  enlightened, 
faithful,  acknowledged  Christians,  who  have  free  access 
to  the  Bible,  agree  in  finding  in  it.    Theso  undisputed 


*  Now,  in  1870,  increased  to  40,7r)0.000. 
t    "     in  18T0,  increased  to  93,018,134. 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


187 


doctrines  alone,  we  suppose,  can  bo  essential  to  salva- 
tion. For  it  is  acknowledged  by  each  sect,  that  persons 
denying  its  distingnisliing  tenets,  do  exhibit  evidence 
of  piety,  and  will  be  saved.  Hence,  uniting  this  judg- 
ment of  all  the  sects,  Protestants  do  themselves  ac- 
knowledge, that  persons  will  be  saved  in  the  denial  of 
each  of  the  disputed  doctrines.  Hence,  none  but  the 
undisputed  tenets  are  in  fact  judged  by  Protestants  to 
be  essential  to  salvation. 

K  these  views  be  correct,  all  Christian  teachei's 
should  accustom  themselves  to  distinguish  in  their  own 
minds  l)etween  the  disputed  and  the  undisputed  doc- 
trines of  Christianity;  and  in  theu*  instructions  they 
ought  to  give  s])ecial  prominence  to  the  latter.  Who 
would  think  of  adopting,  as  text-book  in  a  college,  an 
autlior  on  chemistry  or  natural  philosophy,  who  intro- 
duced the  various  disputed  opinions  and  theories  of  a 
particular  class  of  men,  which  he  regarded  as  true,  but 
did  not  distinguish  between  these  opinions  and  those 
facts  and  principles  fully  established  and  admitted  by 
all  ?  Let  us  go  one  step  further,  and  suppose  the  pecu- 
liarities referred  to  to  be  such  as  are  regarded  as  erro- 
neous by  the  majority  of  chemists.  Such  a  book  would 
by  common  consent  be  considered  unsafe,  and  be  pro- 
nouiiced  unjihilosophical.  Yet  this  is  exactly  the  ]n'ac- 
tice  of  all  the  ditlercnt  denominations.  Their  stand- 
ards make  no  distinction  between  fundamental  and 
nonfundameiital  doctrine-;,  between  tliose  which  are 
certain,  and  not  disjjuted'  by  any  acknowledged  Chris- 
tian denomination,  and  those  which,  though  be- 
lieved by  some,  are  disputed  and  disbelieved  by  others. 
It  would  certainly  lie  conducive  to  Ciuistian  union  and 


i88 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


sound  Chiistian  knowledge,  if  the  distinction  between 
disputed  and  undisputed  doctrines  were  distinctly  made 
by  including  the  latter  only  in  the  public  creed,  leaving 
the  former  as  subjects  of  amicable  difference,  and  as 
occasions  to  exercise  that  forbearance  required  by  the 
apostle,  in  "  not  judging  our  brother."  For  if  we  in- 
troduce these  minor,  disputed  points  into  our  test,  and 
then,  by  virtue  of  it,  drive  out  of  our  church  all  who  in 
the  least  differ  from  us,  where  is  there  any  i-oom  for 
exercising  Christian  forbearance  to  a  "  brother  who  is 
weak  in  the  faith  V  There  will  be  none  such  left. 
We  think  the  great  apostle  evidently  contemplated  a 
different  practice  in  the  church. 

(c)  Prominence  should  be  given  to  the  undispiited 
truths  of  Christianity,  because  they  are  the  principal 
means  which  effect  the  good  accomplished  by  all  the 
different  sects,  the  principal  means  of  conversion,  sanc- 
tification  and  salvation.  Those  points  of  sectarian  di- 
versity which  are  true,  (but  which  these  are,  no  man 
can  determine  with  absolute  cei'tainty,)  are  doubtless 
more  or  less  connected  with  the  more  important  trutlis, 
and  have  some  influence ;  yet  that  their  effect  is  com- 
paratively very  small,  is  manifest  from  the  fact  that  the 
Spirit's  operations  have  been  extended  to  all  these  sev- 
eral denominations.  The  ei'rors  of  sects  have  not  de- 
stroyed the  blessing  vouclisafed  on  the  mulisputed 
truths  held  by  them,  nor  prevented  them  from  being 
the  vehicle  of  salvation  to  thousands.  It  is  therefore 
not  the  jieculiarities  of  the  Congregationalists,  the 
Presbyterians,  the  Episcopalians,  the  Lutherans,  or 
Methodists,  which  do  the  good  accomplished  by  these 
dmrchcB,  but  that  amount  of  truth  Iield  in  conuuon  by 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


all.  Hence,  this  amount  of  common  trntli  ought  al- 
Trays  to  be  distinguished  from  the  "  doubtful  disputa- 
tions," and  especially  should  be  made  prominent  in  the 
public  exercises  of  the  sanctuary. 

(d)  Such  a  creed  would  serve  as  a  bond  of  union  be- 
tween all  (me  Chrisdans  over  the  ichole  icorld.  Doctrine 
is,  in  the  judgment  of  mankind,  far  more  important 
than  modes  of  government.  It  is  diversity  of  doctrine, 
even  on  minor  points,  which  has  been  adopted  as  the 
pretext  for  the  major  part  of  the  divisions  and  conten- 
tions among  Christians.  The  adoption  of  the  same 
creed  of  fundamentals  by  all,  without*any  alteration, 
would  give  prominence  to  their  actual  agreement  in 
essential  doctrines,  and  thus  operate  as  a  bond  of  iinion 
among  Christians.  Those  denominations  whose  stand- 
ards approximate  nearest  in  doctrine,  do  in  reality  cher- 
ish and  exiiibit  more  fellow  feeling  than  others  who 
agi'ce  in  form  of  government,  but  differ  materially  in 
doctrine.  This  is  exemplified  in  the  intimate  union 
and  co-operation  which  have  for  a  long  time  existed  be- 
tM'een  the  Congregational,  the  Presbyterian,  and  the  Low 
Dutch  churches  of  our  land.  Yet  there  have  always 
been  in  these  co-operating  and  affiliated  cluirches  many 
persons  who  differed  from  each  other  fully  as  much  as 
the  creeds  of  any  two  orthodox  churches  do.  The  con- 
tentions in  the  church  about  doctrine  arise  not  so  much 
from  the  existence  of  some  diversity  on  nonfuiidamen- 
tals,  as  from  the  fact,  that  the  majority  of  existing 
creeds  hold  up  this  minor  diversity  to  constant  view, 
and  by  ranking  the  nfinor  and  disputed  points  among 
the  doctrines  which  are  the  test  of  ecclesiastical  com- 
munion, thoy  i)f!rpotuatc  dissension  by  convoying  and 


igo  FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 

cherishing  the  impression  that  these  points  are  of  vital 
moment.  A  fundamental  creed  would  exert  directly 
the  reverse  influence,  and  give  prominence  to  those 
doctrines  which  are  certainly  true,  and  are  not  disputed 
by  an}'  acknowledged  Christian  sect ;  whilst  it  would 
imply  the  minor  importance  of  the  disputed  points,  and 
by  thi'owing  them  into  tlie  back  gi-ound  would  teach  men 
to  exercise  charity  in  regard  to  them.  This  was  the  char- 
acter of  tlie  Apostles'  creed,  which  was  the  only  creed 
used  in  the  first  three  centuries  of  the  church  as  a  test ; 
and  its  influence  as  a  bond  of  union  among  Christians  was 
confessedly  very  great.  Now  it  is  a  notorious  fact,  that 
all  the  Protestant  churches  believe  every  sentence  in 
this  creed,  and  can  subscribe  it  without  renouncing  a 
single  opinion.  So  far  as  the  sacred  records  inform  us, 
the  apostles  themselves  did  not  require  half  as  much  as  is 
coyUained  in  this  creed.  The  doctrine  on  wliich  they  laid 
most  stress,  is  "  that  Jesus  is  the  Son  of  God.''  "  Every 
spirit  tliat  confesses  that  Jesus  Christ  has  come  in  the 
flesh  is  of  God."  "Whosoever  confesseth  that  Jesus 
Christ  is  the  Son  of  God,  God  dwelleth  in  liim  and  he 
in  God."  Paul  to  the  llomans""^'  expressly  says  :  This 
is  the  word  of  faith  M'hich  we  preach,  that  if  thou  shalt 
confess  with  thy  mouth  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  shalt  be- 
lieve in  tliine  iieart,  that  God  hath  raised  him  from  the 
dead,  thou  shalt  be  saved." 

Concord  in  fundamentals  is  the  only  doctrinal  unity 
whicli  existed  among  primitive  Christians,  and  wliicli 
is  necessary.  And,  in  all  probability,  much  greater 
unity  in  doctrine  never  will  exist  in  the  church  on 


*  Romans  x  ;  8. 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


earth,  unless  God  miraculously  produces  more.  But 
there  will  be  a  much  greater  degree  of  charity  and  for- 
bearance, and  consequent  unity  of  spirit,  in  the  days  of 
millennial  glory ;  and  the  freedom  of  investigation  and 
practice  that  are  advocated  in  this  appeal,  and  would 
be  secui'ed  by  the  plan  of  union  proposed,  will,  it  is 
believed,  powerfully  tend  not  only  to  produce  that 
imity  of  spirit,  but  also  to  bring  about  some  greater 
imity  in  nonfundamental  points,  and  perhaps  in  the 
forms  of  government  aud  worship.  When  Christians 
shall  have  full  liberty  to  change  their  opinions  on  mi- 
nor topics,  without  the  fear  of  prosecution,  or  the  appre- 
hension of  popular  or  ecclesiastical  odium,  as  the  prim- 
itive Chi;istians  had,  it  seems  natural  to  expect  that 
they  will  form  their  opinions  more  exclusively  on  the 
naked  evidences  of  the  truth  itself.  But  at  present, 
the  avowal  of  a  change  of  opinion  on  some  points  of 
sectarian  diversity  is  in  some  Protestant  churches  con- 
nected with  such  foiTnidable  inconveniences,  such  as 
prosecution  for  heresy,  removal  from  pastoral  charge, 
and  odium  of  the  brethren,  that  when  a  man,  and  espe- 
cially a  minister,  has  once  connected  himself  with  any 
denomination,  he  finds  it  very  difficult  to  engage  in  the 
investigation  of  these  minor  points  of  his  own  or  other 
denominations  free  from  extraneous  bias.  It  may  be 
said,  that  good  men  ought  to  rise  above  these  consider- 
ations, and  be  uninfluenced  by  such  consequences ;  but 
it  is  far  easier  to  inculcate  than  practice  this  good  ad- 
vice. 

(e)  Such  a  creed  might  also  he  rcganled  as  a  standing  tes- 
timony of  the  church  in  behalf  of  the  truth  and  against 
error.    Let  it  not  be  said,  that  it  would  contain  any 


192 


FRATERNAL  ArPEAL. 


thing  whicli  a  portion  of  Christians  regard  as  en'or ; 
for  it  is  to  embrace  only  those  doctrines  which  all  the 
so-called  orthodox  agree  in  finding  in  Scripture.  I^or 
can  it  in  justice  be  objected,  that  it  would  not  be  ex- 
plicit or  ample  enough ;  it  would  be  far  more  explicit 
and  five  times  as  ample  as  the  testimony  which  the 
church  of  Christ,  during  the  first  four  centuries,  ever 
bore  in  this  way.  Nor  do  we  suppose  that  any  satis- 
factory reason  can  be  adduced  to  show  that  it  is  the 
duty  of  one  part  of  the  church  to  bear  testimony  against 
those  opinions,  of  the  truth  of  which  another  part  are 
"  fully  persuaded  in  their  own  minds,"  and  thus  to 
"judge  one  another,''  (Rom.  xiv  :  1 — 8,)  or  that  any 
good  has  ever  resulted  from  such  testimony.  . 

FouETH  Featuke.  There  should  he  free  sacramental, 
t        ecclesiastical  and  ministerial  communion  among  the 
confederated  churches. 

The  first  of  these  elements,  namely  free  sacramental 
communion,  may  be  said  already  to  exist  among  many 
of  the  churches.  For  by  it  is  not  intended,  that  the 
members  of  any  branch  of  the  Protestant  church  should 
forsake  the  sacramental  ordinance  of  the  house  in  which 
they  statedly  worship.  This  could  be  productive  only 
of  confusion,  and  eventually  would  create  discord  in- 
stead of  union.  And,  the  writer  supposes,  that  through- 
out the  whole  of  this  plan  there  is  nothing  which  ought 
to  create  disturbance  or  unsettle  the  affairs  of  individual 
congregations  of  Christians.  But  when  members  of 
one  church  are  present  at  a  sacramental  celebration  in 
anotlier,  a  public  invitation  to  members  of  sister  churches 
in  good  standing,  ought  always  to  be  given,  as  it  haiv 
pily  is  in  most  churchc:-;,  and  ought  to  be,  as  it  now 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


193 


generally  is,  accepted.  On  this  topic,  the  practice  of 
the  chiu'ches  in  many  places,  already  coincides  with  our 
plan,  and  no  alteration  would  be  desired,  excepting  that 
the  few  churches  which  have  not  yet  given  this  public 
invitation,  should  also  adopt  the  practice  of  their  breth- 
ren. 

A  happy  influence  would  probably  also  result  from 
an  a/nnual  joint  communion  of  as  many  contiguous 
confederated  churches  of  different  denominations,  as 
could,  together  with  their  several  ministers,  be  accom- 
modated together.  How  delightful  a  prospect  thus  to 
behold  the  different  members  of  the  Saviour's  family, 
occasionally  all  assemble  around  the  family  board,  and 
by  their  actions  declare :  "  We  heing  many  are  one  hread 
and  one  l)ody,  for  we  are  all  partahcrs  of  that  one 
hread.''''  1  Cor.  10 :  17.  Yet,  it  is  most  obvious,  that 
on  these  as  on  all  other  occasions,  the  spirit  of  proselyt- 
ism  must  be  most  sacredly  resisted  and  guarded  against 
by  all ;  otherwise  these  family-feasts  would  only  tend 
to  foster  family  fueds. 

By  ecclesiastical  communion,  we  mean  that  churches 
should  mutually  acknowledge  each  other,  and  that  a  cer- 
tificate of  good  standing  in  any  one  confederated  church 
should  be  a  certain  passport  for  admission  to  regular 
membership  in  any  other.  This  clement  also  may  be 
said  in  a  great  measure  already  to  exist  in  different 
branches  of  the  church.  Yet  its  real  iin])oi-t  is  not 
always  understood,  nor  are  its  legitimate  consequences 
followed  out  in  practice.  .  Christians  should  regard 
themselves  as  members  of  the  church  universal,  as  well 
as  of  any  particular  denomination.  Hence,  when  re- 
moving to  other  y)laces,  althougli  thoy  nnlin*al]y  nnd 
0 


194 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


properly  connect  themselves  with  their  own  denomina- 
tion if  there  be  a  church  of  the  kind  in  the  place ;  yet 
if  there  be  not,  tliey  ought  to  attach  themselves  to  any 
other  christian  church  which  comes  nearest  to  their 
views  of  truth  and  duty,  and  in  which  they  could  re- 
ceive and  comnn;nicate  the  greatest  amount  of  good. 
How  melancholy  is  it  that  persons,  pi'ofessing  to  be 
Christians,  living  in  villages  and  neighborhoods  where 
there  is  not  and  cannot  be  a  church  of  their  denomina- 
tion, remain  ten  or  twenty  years,  and  often  for  life  un- 
connected with  the  disciples  of  the  same  Redeemer 
ai'ound  them,  on  account  of  difference  on  minor  points 
of  doctrine  or  discipline !  IIow  still  more  distressing 
the  thought  that  ministers  of  that  blessed  Saviour  who 
prayed  that  all  his  disciples  might  "  be  one,"  should 
sometimes  confirm  the  prejudices  of  such  individuals 
in  the  hope  of  some  ultimate  t\ir  distant  gain  to  their 
sect ! 

Where  the  parties  are  so  disposed,  the  Monthly  Con- 
cert might  be  held  alternately  in  the  confederated 
churches.  And  in  like  manner,  whilst  every  congrega- 
tion might  have  its  own  Sabbath-school,  the  teachers  of 
the  contiguous  schools  should  hold  their  monthly  concert 
imitedly,  and  the  scholars  shojild  occasionally  be  brought 
together  for  anniversary  or  other  exercises  and  celebra- 
tions. Such  a  liberal,  early  training  of  the  rising  genera- 
tion, would  exert  a  most  salutary  influence  and  power- 
fully tend  to  banish  that  inihallowed  bigotry  and  sec- 
tarianism from  the  church,  whidi  liave  l)eeii  the  curse 
of  protestantism. 

I>y  ministerial  communion,  we  would  mean  tliat  a 
certificate  of  good  standing  in  the  ministry  of  one  church 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


ought  to  be  a  passport  for  admission  to  the  ministerial 
rank  of  any  other  church,  if  connected  with  a  credible 
profession  of  attachment  to  the  standards  of  govern- 
ment, discipline  and  foi'm  of  worship  in  the  other  ;  and 
if  the  judicature  applied  to,  believe  the  applicant  pos- 
sessed of  the  qualifications,  gifts  and  graces  required  by 
said  standards,  and  calculated  to  be  useful  in  the  midst 
of  them.  This  feature  also  exists  in  the  practice  of 
most  of  the  churches.  It  is  not  at  all  unusual  for  min- 
isters of  the  Congregational,  Presbyterian,  and  Low 
Dutch  churches  to  transfer  their  relations.  Between 
the  Lutheran  and  the  Moravian  churches  in  this  country 
the  same  is  the  case.  Several  of  our  most  respected 
and  useful  ministers  were  trained  in  the  church  of  the 
United  Brethren  and  transferred  their  relations  to  our 
larger  and  more  destitute  Zion.  Ministers  coming  with 
good  credentials  from  the  Evangelical  church  iu  Ger- 
many, apply  indifferently  either  to  the  Lutheran  or 
German  Keformed  church  in  tliis  country,  and  are  re- 
ceived by  both.  As  the  spirit  of  Christian  union  in- 
creases, we  suppose  these  cases  of  transfer  will  probably 
multiply ;  and  that  it  will  cease  iu  any  case  to  be  odious 
for  a  minister  at  any  time  of  life,  to  transfer  his  rela- 
tions to  another  church  either  from  want  of  employment 
in  his  own,  or  because  on  more  mature  examination,  or 
observation  of  their  practical  effects,  he  believes  the 
form  of  tlie  latter  more  scriptural  or  better  calculated 
to  advance  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  And  if,  in  the  ojiora- 
tion  of  this  feature  of  union,  it  should  occasionally  hap- 
pen, that  a  minister  who  differed  in  some  points  from 
his  people,  became  offensive  to  them,  by  dwelling  un- 
duly on  his  peculiar  views,  they  could  dismiss  him  as 


196 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


not  acceptable  to  tliem^  without  any  act  of  discipline,  or 
official  censure  of  any  judicatory.  Finding  the  result 
of  his  sectarianism,  he  would  learn  wisdom  from  ex- 
perience, and  thereafter  lay  greater  stress  on  the  car- 
dinal doctrines  of  the  gospel. 

Ministerial  communion  also  implies  the  mutual  ac- 
knowledgment of  each  other's  official  character  by  the 
clergy  of  the  confederated  churches  and  an  occasional 
interchange  of  pulpits.  On  this  point  it  may  be  thought 
some  difficulty  would  exist  in  the  minds  of  some  of  our 
Episcopal  brethren.  This  difficulty,  if  it  exist  at  all, 
must  be  confined  to  the  high-church  party,  and  does 
not  embarrass  those  who  embrace  episcopacy,  not  from 
the  belief  of  its  scriptural  authority,  but  on  the  ground 
of  expediency ;  and  of  this  class  far  the  largest  portion 
of  that  church  has  always  been.  To  this  class  have  be- 
longed archbishop  Wliitgift,  Dr.  "Willet,  bishops  Bilson, 
Morton,  Jewell,  Croft,  Buraet,  Dr.  Whitaker,  arch- 
bishops Usher  and  Tillotson,  Dr.  Stillingfleet,  and 
Hawies,  Sir  Peter  King,  and  the  venerable  Dr.  White, 
late  bishop  of  the  Episcopal  church  in  Pennslyvania,  as 
well  as,  if  we  mistake  not,  the  great  mass  of  Episcopal 
divines  and  laity  in  this  country.  In  a  pamphlet  of  the 
last  named  respectable  author,  published  many  yeai-s 
ago,  principally  to  recommend  a  temporary  doixarture 
from  the  line  of  episcopal  succession,  on  the  ground 
that  bishops  could  not  then  be  had,  he  uses  this  lan- 
guage:  "Now  if  even  those  who  hold  episcopacy  to  be 
of  divine  right,  conceive  the  obligation  to  it  not  to  be 
binding,  when  that  idea  would  be  destructive  of  j)ublic 
worship ;  much  moi*e  nmst  they  think  so,  who  indeed 
venerate  and  prefer  that  form  as  tlic  most  ancient  and 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


197 


eligible,  but  without  any  idea  of  divine  right  in  the 
case.  This  the  author  believes  to  be  the  sentiment  of 
the  great  hody  of  Episcopalians  in  America,  in  which 
respect  they  have  in  their  flivor  unquestionably  the  sense 
of  the  church  of  England,  and,  as  lie  believes,  the  opinion 
of  her  most  distinguished  prelates  for  piety,  virtue 
and  abilities.^''  But  we  have  no  doubt,  that  even  our 
high-church  brethren  do  in  spirit  (although  not  in  form) 
admit  the  ministerial  character  of  other  clergy  ;  and  we 
take  pleasui'e  in  being  able  to  cite  the  opinion  of  Dr. 
H.  U.  Onderdonk,  bisliop  of  the  Episcopal  church  in 
Pennsylvania  in  confirmation  of  our  belief.  There  will 
therefore  be  little  if  any  difficulty  from  this  source.  See 
his  Tract  on  "Episcopacy  tested  by  Scripture,"  p.  6. 
And  should  our  Episcopal  brethren  feel  restrained  by 
their  existing  canons  from  formally  practicing  tliis  fea- 
ture of  union,  they  need  not  tl>erel)y  be  prevented  from 
adopting  the  others,  and  whilst  they  exhibited  the  spirit 
of  Christian  union,  and  practiced  llie  other  features  of 
the  plan,  the  gain  to  the  cause  of  ])rotestantism  and  to 
Christianity  would  be  immense. 

FiFxn  Feature.  In  all  matters  not  relating  to  the 
government,  discipline  and  forms  of  worship  of  in- 
dividual churches,  Imt  pertaining  to  tJie  common  cause 
of  Christianity,  Ut  the  principle  of  cooperation  re- 
gardless of  sect,  he  adopted  so  far  as  the  nature  of  the 
case  will  admit  and  as  fast  as  the  views  of  the  j^firtles 
will  allow.  Tlie  Scriptures  present  us  with  no  example 
of  regular  organization  for  extensive  benevolent  u])ora- 
tions.  The  church  is  thus  left  to  choose  in  view  of  the 
principles  of  the  New  Testament,  and  the  results  of  her 
oAvn  progressive  cx])erience.    The  forms  of  ("hri.-itian 


198 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


associated  agency  in  the  benevolent  enterprises  of  our 
day,  are  usually  distinguished  as  voluntary  and  ecclesi- 
astical. This  designation,  however,  seems  not  to  be 
entirely  accurate ;  for  the  ecclesiastical  are  also  in  one 
sense  voluntary,  and  tlie  voluntary  are  ecclesiastical,  in- 
as  much  as  they  are  conducted  by  members  of  the  Chris- 
tian church.  More  properly  at  least  in  reference  to  the 
subject  under  discussion,  they  might  be  distinguished 
as  catholic  and  denominational.  Is  ow  as  the  denomina- 
tional are  based  on  the  principle  of  sect,  which  we  have 
found  so  detrimental  to  the  Redeemer's  kingdom ;  it  is 
evident  that  those  who  would  labor  for  this  unity  and 
aid  in  accomplishing  the  Saviour's  prayer,  should  so  far 
as  the  nature  of  the  case  admits,  prefer  those  catholic 
institutions,  in  which  such  as  profess  to  be  brethren  are 
found  acting  out  their  profession.  That  these  catholic 
institutions  exert  a  most  benign  influence  in  mitigating 
the  rigors  of  sectarian  asperity  and  in  knitting  together 
in  love  the  hearts  of  those  engaged  in  them,  can  be 
doubted  by  no  one  acquainted  with  the  history  of  the 
American  Bible,  Tract,  Education  and  Missionary  So- 
cieties. How  often  have  the  anniversaries  of  these  so- 
cieties pi'esented  delightful  festivals  of  fratei'nal  affec- 
tion, where  the  peculiarities  of  sect  were  sacrificed  on 
the  altar  of  Christian  union — scenes  of  the  most  thrilling 
character,  such  as  angels  delight  to  contemplate  !  That 
they  are  at  least  as  eflScient  as  the  denominational  or- 
ganizations, and  have  enjoyed  at  least  as  signal  evi- 
dences of  the  divine  favor,  will  also  not  be  disputed. 
If  the  parent  or  national  societies  be  supposed  to  have 
too  great  a  concentration  of  power,  let  coordinate 
branches  be  multi]>lie(l  and  be  as  nearly  independent 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


199 


of  the  parent  institution  as  experience  may  prove  to  be 
desirable,  and  each  brancli  mainly  do  the  work  within 
its  own  bounds.  Yet  the  branches  also  should  be 
catholic  in  their  structure,  sliould  embrace  all  snch  in- 
dividuals and  conffreorational  societies  within  theii*  de- 
designated  bounds,  as  are  willing  to  cooperate  among 
the  diflerent  denominations. 

But  it  by  no  means  follows,  that  denominational  so- 
cieties must  of  necessity  be  wholly  sectarian  in  their 
operations.  They  are  so  only  when  their  funds  are 
applied  exclusively  to  the  propagation  of  Christianity 
connected  with  the  sectarian  peculiarities  of  the  clrarch 
with  which  they  are  connected ;  when  beneficiaries  are 
selected  exclusively  from  the  members  of  that  denomi- 
nation ;  and  are  sustained  only  when  Iiaving  in  view 
the  ministry  in  that  church.  The  spirit  of  catholic 
union  leads  us  to  rejoice  at  the  progress  of  the  Master's 
kingdom  in  any  of  its  aeknoAvledged  forms,  and  to  be 
willing  to  aid  an  individual  to  labor  ig  any  portion  of 
the  Lord's  vineyard,  rather  than  that  he  should  not 
enter  the  vineyard  at  all.  Let  tliose,  therefore,  who 
prefer  denominational  societies,  and  desire  to  promote 
the  unity  of  Christ's  body,  adopt  the  catholic  principles 
of  action,  and  enter  into  some  rules  of  cooperation  and 
non-interference  with  the  otlier  societies,  and  although 
not  80  entirely  favorable  to  Catholicism  as  the  purely 
catholic  institutions,  they  would  be  hailed  by  the 
friends  of  union  as  fellow-laborers  in  the  conunon  cause 
of  apostolic  Catholicism. 

In  addition  to  the  superior  tendency  to  union  in  the 
catholic  or  voluntary  associations,  they  enable  individ- 
ual Christians  and   congregations  in  their  primary 


20O 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


capacity,  themselves  to  appropriate  their  fxinds  imme- 
diately to  siich  piii^poses  as  they  prefer,  without  the  in- 
tervention of  ecclesiastical  bodies.  Tliis  may  lead 
Christians  genei^ally  to  feel  their  responsibihty  more 
sensibly,  to  inquire  into  the  merits  of  different  christian 
enterprises  more  fully,  and  thus  to  become  more  deejjly 
interested  in  them. 

In  order  the  more  perfectly  to  secure  to  the  catholic 
associations  their  ecclesiastical  and  orthodox  character, 
it  might  not  be  amiss  for  the  parent  institutions  and 
primary  branches  to  incorporate  in  their  constitutions 
an  acknowledgment  of  the  Apostolic  Protestant  Con- 
fession, requiring  a  subscription  to  it  from  all  their 
principal  executive  officers,  their  beneliciai-ies  and  their 
missionaries  both  foreign  and  domestic.  These  societies 
are  even  now  amply  secured  on  this  point  by  their  re- 
gulations, which  require  that  every  beneficiary  shall  be 
member  of  some  christian  church,  and  that  every  mis- 
sionary sent  either  into  the  domestic  or  foreign  field, 
shall  be  in  regular  connection  and  good  standing  in  the 
ministry  of  some  orthodox  denomination.  Still  as  the 
proposed  creed  is  a  catholic  one,  there  would  be  a 
eongi'uity  in  its  distinctive  acknowledgment  by  catholic 
societies,  and  it  would  tend  to  give  still  greater  pro- 
minence to  the  common  faith. 

Sixth  Fkatuke.  The  Bible  sJwuld  as  much  as  pos- 
sible be  made  the  text-book  in  all  religious  and  theological 
instruction.  It  is  incontrovertible  that  in  consequence 
of  the  great  abundance  even  of  good  miinsj)ired  works, 
the  book  of  God  in  its  naked  form,  just  as  its  author 
made  it,  receives  less  attention  than  it  merits.  We 
would  not,  of  course,  object  to  elementary  books  for  the 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


20 1 


instruction  of  cliildren  and  youth ;  vet  it  seems  desirable 
that  they  contain  only  the  common  ground  of  Christian 
doctrine.  Many  of  the  books,  employed  in  training  the 
rising  generation,  are  tinctured  by  sectarian  peculiarities, 
■whilst  others  are  professedly  sectarian,  and  cannot  fail 
to  leave  impressions  unfriendly  to  the  cause  of  union. 
Every  denomination  must  indeed  have  full  liberty  to 
use  such  works  for  purposes  of  instruction  without  being 
upbraided ;  yet  it  cannot  fail  to  be  perceived,  that  the 
unity  of  Christ's  body  will  be  best  subserved  hy  occupy- 
ing the  attention  of  children  mainly  with  the  cardinal 
and  common  truths  of  our  holy  religion,  by  preferring 
elementary  books  of  an  unsectarian  character,  and  by 
tlie  early  use  of  the  Bible  as  the  chief  book  of  study 
and  instruction.  It  is  moreover  due  to  that  blessed 
volume,  that  it  should  not  only  be  called  the  best  of 
books,  but  also  be  treated  as  such  ;  and  be  made  use  of  on 
all  suitable  occasions,  not  so  much  with  the  view  of 
establishing,  by  detached  quotations,  positions  already 
made  out,  as  for  the  analytic  study  of  the  book  itself. 
For  this  cause  Bible  classes  are  deserving  of  high  com- 
mendation, even  admitting  that  disputed  points  are 
sometimes  discussed.  The  scholar  is  still  emi)loyed  in 
tlie  direct  study  of  the  word  of  God,  and  will  learn  to 
judge  for  himself.  Those  books  of  insfructioii,  such  as 
the  Bible  Questions  of  the  American  Sunday  School 
Union,  which  require  the  scholar  unavoidably  and  con- 
stantly to  refer  to  the  Bible  for  answers,  are  ]ieculiarly 
appropriate. 

In  theological  seminaries,  also,  the  Bible  should  as 
much  as  i)ossil)le  be  made  the  subject  of  direct  study 
on  all  the  dilfereiit  branches  of  theologv ;  and  on  every 


202 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


topic  the  student  should  be  required  to  searcli  the  Scrip- 
tures for  himself,  and  present  the  results  of  his  examin- 
ation. This  coui'se  is  in  a  greater  or  less  degi'ee  already 
pursued  in  manj^  of  our  principal  schools  of  the  prophets. 
Yet  it  is  probable  that  it  might  be  carried  to  greater 
extent.  In  Biblical  History,  in  Doctrinal,  Practical 
and  Polemical  Theology  this  plan  can  be  employed 
with  the  utmost  facility,  and  its  undoubted  tendency  is 
to  obliterate  sectarian  prejudices  and  distinctions,  and 
to  promote  aUke  Christian  union  and  Bible  truth.  The 
more  we  can  fix  the  attention  of  the  student  to  the 
word  of  God,  the  better  shall  we  be  able  to  raise 
up  a  generation  of  ministers  disengaged  from  the 
shackles  of  sectarianism,  and  firmly  planted  on  the 
broad  platform  of  the  Bible ;  men  possessing  the  most 
enlarged  views  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  and  ready 
to  devise  and  execute  millennial  schemes  for  its  ad- 
vancement. 

The  Seventh  and  last  Feature  of  union  is,  that 
missionaries,  going  into  foreign  lands,  ought  to  use  arul 
profess  no  other  creed  than  the  Bible  and  the  annexed  Apos- 
tolic Protesta7it  Confession,  and  connect  with  it  vjhatever 
form  of  church  government  and  mode  of  luorship  they  prefer. 

For  the  sake  of  our  bleeding  Saviour,  our  sectarian 
divisions  oiight  not  to  be  transplanted  to  heathen  lands. 
The  blood-stained  banner  of  sectarianism  should  not 
accompany  the  standard  of  the  cross,  nor  be  seen  amidst 
its  bloodless  triumphs.  The  Protestant  churches  amount 
to  but  ninety-three  millions  out  of  a  thousand  millions, 
the  probable  population  of  our  entire  globe,  and  ought 
not  to  spread  the  Corinthian  contagion  of  sectarianism 
over  the  gentile  world,    In  view  of  all  the  divisions  and 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS. 


203 


contentious  which  sectarianism  has  entailed  on  the  her- 
itage of  God,  how  much  better  would  it  be  that  the  dis- 
ciples of  the  Lord,  instructed  by  the  experience  of  three 
hundred  years  of  discord  in  the  household  of  faith, 
should  settle  down  on  some  better  plan  for  preserving 
the  unity  of  the  church,  as  her  triumphs  are  extending 
into  heathen  countries  !  The  signs  of  the  times  impe- 
riously call  us  to  this  duty ;  and  a  more  convenient  sea- 
son cannot  be  expected  in  the  providence  of  God. 
Deeply  impressed  with  the  conviction  that  something 
can,  and  therefore  something  ought  to  be  done,  the 
writer,  whose  attention  has  for  many  years  been  directed 
to  this  subject,  felt  constrained  to  address  this  fraternal 
appeal  to  the  American  churches.  Whether  that  Di- 
vine Saviour,  who  has  promised  to  be  with  his  disci- 
pics  unto  the  end  of  tlie  world,  will  incline  the  hearts 
of  his  children  to  heed  this  appeal,  the  future  must  de- 
velope.  But  whether  or  not,  the  writer  feels  that  he 
will  have  discharged  a  solemn  duty,  and  he  cannot  re- 
sist the  conviction  that  some  good  will  accrue  to  the 
kingdom  of  the  blessed  Saviour.  It  is  certainly  in  the 
highest  degree  desirable  that  the  unity  of  the  church 
should  be  restored  in  Christian  lands,  and  that  the 
sacramental  host  who  bear  the  standard  of  the  cross 
into  the  heathen  world,  should  present  an  undivided 
front.  Better  far  that  the  heathen  slioidd  never  hear 
of  Luther,  and  Calvin,  and  Arminius,  and  Wesley,  and 
base  their  religion  purely  on  the  Bible,  than  that  the 
sectarian  divisions  connected  with  these  names  should 
be  canned  among  them,  still  to  vex  and  agitate  and 
})aralyze  the  chiircli. 

Whilst  the  entire  pagan  woi-ld  is  before  ihem,  no 


204 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


two  sects  ought  to  send  iiiissioDarics  into  the  same  dis- 
trict of  country.  Thus  the  immediate  collision  of  secta 
woiild  be  prevented  for  a  season.    Yet  if  they  take 

T\aTII  THEM  TIIEIK  EXTENDED  SECTARIAN  CEEEDS,  IT  WILL 
KOT  BE  LONG  BEFORE  DISSENTERS  FROM  IT  WILL  GROW  UP 
AAIONG  THEIR  OWN  DISCIPLES,  AND  THUS  THE  OLD  EVIL 

SOON  RETURN.  But  if  a  crccd  covering  only  the  com- 
mon, imdisputed  ground  of  Christianity  be  taken,  there 
will  be  no  need  of  disciplining  any  but  such  as  ought 
to  be  excluded  from  all  Christian  churches,  and  there- 
fore could  not  form  any  Christian  sect,  And  as  the 
Scriptures  present  us  with  no  entire  detailed  system  of 
church  government,  our  predilections  on  that  subject 
are  produced  chiefly  by  the  influence  and  example  of 
pai'ents  and  teachers,  and  there  is  little,  very  little 
probability  of  secession  from  any  of  the  churches  in 
heathen  lands,  on  this  gi'Oimd. 

In  addition  to  these  fundamental  features  of  the  pro- 
jected union.  Christians  should  endeavor  gradually  to 
restore  unity  of  mutual  acknowledgment  in  name^  as 
well  as  in  the  thing.  Geographical  names  should  be 
adopted  for  all  catholic  or  voluntary  associations  which 
may  be  erected.  In  this  respect  the  American  Educa- 
tion, Tract,  Bible,  Missionary  and  other  societies  have 
set  a  noble  example.  Each  denomination  sliould  speak 
of  itself  not  as  Oie  church,  but  as  a  hranJt  of  the  church  ; 
and  the  common  designation  of  the  whole,  in  accord- 
ance with  the  title  of  their  joint  confession  of  fiiith, 
ghould  be  : 

The  Apostolic,  Protestant  CnuRCir, 
or  some  ccpudly  generic  name.    IIow  delightful  woidd 


REMEDY  FOR  THESE  EVILS.  205 

it  be,  to  hear  Christians  habitually  employing  phrase- 
ology indicative  of  their  unity,  to  hear  them  speak  of 
The  Apostolic,  Peotestant  Church,  and  of 
The  Lutheran  Branch  of  the  church. 
The  Episcopal  Branch  of  the  church, 
The  Presbyterian  Branch  of  the  chm'ch, 
The  Dutch  Reformed  Branch  of  the  church, 
The  German  Reformed.  Branch  of  the  church, 
The  Cono-reerational  Branch  of  the  church, 
The  Baptist  Branch  of  the  church, 
The  Methodist  Branch  of  the  church,  etc.,  etc. 
Thus  should  we  literally  verify  the  declaration  of  the 
Lord's  prophet,  "  And  the  Lord,  will  be  king  over  all 
the  earth ;  in  that  day  there  will  be  one  Lord  and  his 
name  one. Zech.  xiv:  9. 

As  to  one  Supreme  Ri'presentative  Bodij^  having  even 
limited  jurisdiction  over  all  the  confederated  bodies, 
for  which  some  may  have  been  looking  as  a  feature  of 
this  i>lan  of  union — there  was  none  such  in  the  apos- 
tolic age,  and  we  need  none.  The  tendency  of  such 
bodies  is  naturally  to  an  increase  of  power — they  are 
the  foster-mothers  of  papacy,  and  dangerous  to  true 
liberty  of  conscience. 

Should  any  circumstances  in  the  providence  of  God 
hereafter  render  it  necessary,  and  the  great  body  of 
the  confederated  denominations  unite  in  the  call,  a 
more  advisory  council  might  be  convened,  consisting 
of  a  small  senatorial  delegation,  in  equal  numbers  from 
each  denomination,  without  legislative  or  judicial  power, 
its  advice  to  be  confined  to  the  general  interests  of  the 
Redeemer's  kingdom.'  Yet  even  such  a  council  ought 
not  to  meet  statedly  nor  often,  and  forms  no  part  of  tlie 
proposed  union. 


CHAPTER  Y. 


THE  CONSENSUS  OF    EVANGELICAl.   PKOTESTANT   CREEDS  ; 
OR  THE  TJNITED  APOSTOLIC,  PROTESTANT  CONFESSION, 

For  wliicli  tlie  reader  is  now  prepared,  is  nothing  more 
than  a  selection  of  such  articles  or  parts  of  articles,  on 
the  topics  determined  hy  the, several  confessions,  as  are 
behoved  by  all  the  so-called  orthodox  churches.  Not 
a  single  word  is  altered  or  added.  The  entire  creed  is, 
in  truth,  the  common  work  of  the  Protestant  family, 
every  part  having  been  composed  by  one  or  other  of 
its  members.  The  confessions  of  all  the  prominent 
churches  which  have  separate  creeds,  were  duly  re- 
garded in  the  selection,  in  order  that  the  whole  might 
be,  and  be  regarded  as,  the  common  properii/  of  the 
Protestant  church.  The  aidliority  of  this  confession  is 
based  on  the  fact,  that  every  sentence,  every  idea  of 
it,  has  been  sanctioned  by  one  or  other  of  the  Protest- 
ant conventions  that  adopted  the  creeds  from  which  the 
articles  are  selected,  and  by  the  denominations  receiving 
those  creeds.  The  whole  creed  has,  therefore,  already 
received  the  ecclesiastical  sanction  of  acknowledged 
churches.  Its  santion  in  its  present  form  and  for  the  pro- 
posed purpose,  it  can  only  receive  by  the  successive  ac- 
tion of  such  ecclesiastical  bodies,  and  churches  and  indi- 
viduals, as  in  the  providence  of  God* may  receive  it, 
(206) 


APOSTOLIC  PROTESTANT  COXT'KSSION.  20/ 


and  publish  tlieir  assent  to  it,  not  as  renouncing  any  of 
their  former  opinions,  but  as  regarding  this  as  the  test 
for  diseiphne  and  communion. 

The  Apostolic,  Peotestant  Confession. 

Pakt  I. — The  Apostles'  Creed. 

"  I  believe  in  God  tlie  Father  Almighty,  the  Maker 
of  heaven  and  earth  ;  and  in  Jesus  Christ,  his  only  Son 
our  Lord  ;  who  was  conceived  by  the  Holy  Ghost,  born 
of  the  Virgin  Mary,  suffered  under  Pontius  Pilate, 
was  crucified,  dead  and  buried.  The  third  day  he 
arose  from  the  dead,  lie  ascended  into  heaven,  and  sit- 
teth  on  the  right  hand  of  God  the  Father  Almighty, 
from  thence  he  shall  come  to  judge  the  quick  and  the 
dead. 

"  I  believe  in  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  holy  catholic  or 
universal  church;  the  communion  of  saints;  the  for- 
giveness of  sins ;  the  resurrection  of  the  body,  and  the 
life  everlasting." 

Part  II. — Consensus  of  the  Evangelical,  Protestant 
Creeds,  or  the  United  Protestant  Confession. 

Akt.  I. — Of  the  Soriptures. 

The  Holy  Scripture  containeth  all  things  necessary 
to  salvation  :  so  that  whatsoever  is  not  read  therein,  nor 
may  be  proved  thereby,  is  not  to  be  required  of  any 
man,  that  it  should  be  believed  as  an  article  of  the 
faith,  or  be  thought  requisite  or  necessary  to  salvation.* 


*  Articles  of  the  Episcopal  Chiircli,  Art.  VI.,  and  of  tlio  Discipline 
of  the  Motliodist  Church,  Art.  V. 


208 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


Under  the  name  of  tlie  Holy  Scriptui*es,  or  the  word  of 
God  written,  are  now  contained  all  the  books  of  the 
Old  and  New  Testament,  which  are  these  : 


Genesis, 

Isaiah, 

Epistle  to  the  Romans, 

Exodus, 

Jeremiah, 

I.  Corinthians, 

Leviticus, 

Lamentations, 

II.  Corinthians, 

Numbers, 

l-zelviel. 

Galatians, 

Deuteronomy, 

Daniel, 

Ephesians, 

Joshua, 

Hosea, 

Philippians, 

Judges, 

Joel, 

Colossians, 

Rutli, 

Amos, 

I.  Thcssalonians, 

I.  Samuel, 

Obadiah, 

II.  Thcssalonians, 

IL  Samuel, 

Jonah, 

1.  limotny. 

L  Kings. 

Jlicah, 

11.  limotny. 

IL  Kings, 

Nahum, 

Titus, 

T    O  M  T*r>Tl  1 1  oo 
X.       111 LfUldCD* 

LtLll^  t\  Lllv, 

L  Illit^UlLlli, 

II.  Chronicles, 

Zephaniah, 

Hebrews, 

Ezra, 

Haggai, 

Epistle  of  James, 

Nehemiah, 

Zecliariah, 

I.  Peter, 

Esther, 

Malachi, 

IL  Peter, 

Job, 

Matthew, 

I.  John, 

Psalms, 

Mark, 

II.  John, 

Proverbs, 

Luke, 

III.  John, 

Ecclesiastcs, 

John, 

Jude, 

Song  of  Solomon. 

Acts  of  the  Apostles, 

Revelation. 

All  which  are  given  by  inspiration  of  God  to  be  the 
rule  of  faith  and  life.  The  books  commonly  called 
Apocrypha,  not  being  of  divine  inspiration,  are  no  part 
of  the  canon  of  Scripture.* 


*  Ratio  Disciplinae,  or  Constitution  of  the  Congregational  Churches, 
Art.  I.,  §  2,  3.  Confession  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  Art.  I.,  §  2,  3. 
Confession  of  the  Baptist  Churches  (adopted  in  1742),  Chap.  I.,  §2,  3. 
The  Confession  of  tlie  Dutch  Reformed  Church  is  also  of  the  same 
general  doctrinal  import. 


APOSTOLIC  PROTESTANT  CONFESSION.  20g 


Art.  II. — Of  God  and  the  Trinity. 

Our  churches  with  one  accord  teach,  that  there  is 
one  God,  eternal,  incorporeal,  indivisible,  infinite  in 
power,  wisdom  and  goodness,  the  creator  and  preserver 
of  all  things  visible  and  invisible ;  and  yet  that  there 
are  three  persons,  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  Holj 
Spirit.* 

Art.  III. — Of  the  Son  of  God  and  the  Atonement. 

They  likewise  teach,  that  the  Word,  that  is,  the  Son 
of  God,  assumed  human  nature,  so  that  the  two  na- 
tures, human  and  divine,  united  in  one  person,  consti- 
tute one  Christ,  who  is  true  God  and  man  ;  born  of  the 
Virgin  Mary;  and  truly  suffered,  was  crucified,  died 
and  was  buried,  that  he  might  be  a  sacrifice  for  the 
sins  of  men.f 

Art.  IV. — Of  Human  Depramty. 

God  having  made  a  covenant  of  works  and  of  life 
thereupon  with  our  first  parents ;  they,  seduced  by  the 
subtilty  and  temptation  of  Satan,  did  willfully  trans- 
gress and  break  the  covenant  by  eating  the  forbidden 
fruit4  By  this  sin  they  fell  from  their  original  right- 
eousness and  communion  with  God,  and  so  a  corrupted 
nature  is  conveyed  to  all  their  posterity,  descending 
from  tliem  by  ordinary  generation. §    The  condition  of 


*  Lutheran  and  Moravian  (ITnitod  Brotliren's)  Confession.  Art.  I. 
\  Idem,  Art.  III.,  nccordinjf  to  tlio  translation  contained  in  tho 
writ(!r'H  "  l'oj)ular  Theolo^jy." 
X  Congref^ational,  Art.  VI.  1. 

^  Congregational,  Art.  VI.  .'5.    lJai)tiHt,  Clinp  VI.  §  3. 


210 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


man,  after  the  fall  of  Adam,  is  such,*  that  his  will  is 
neither  forced,  nor  by  any  absolute  necessity  of  nature 
determined  to  do  good  or  evil  ;t  but  it  does  not  possess 
the  power,  without  the  influence  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  of 
being  just  before  God4 

Art.  Y. — Of  Justification. 

We  are  accounted  righteous  before  God  only  for  the 
merits  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ  by  faith  ; 
and  not  for  our  own  works  or  deservings.§  This  faith 
must  bring  forth  good  fruits ;  aiid  it  is  our  duty  to  per- 
form those  good  works  which  God  has  commanded,  be- 
cause he  has  enjoined  them,  and  not  in  the  expectation 
of  thereby  meriting  justification  before  him.|]  Good 
works  cannot  put  away  our  sins,  and  endure  the  sever- 
ity of  God's  judgraent.*'[ 

Aet.  \l.~Ofthe  Church. 

The  visible  church,  which  is  catholic  or  universal 
under  the  Gospel  (not  confined  to  one  nation),  consists 
of  all  those  throughout  the  world  that  profess  the  true 
religion,  and  is  the  kingdom  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
Unto  this  catholic,  A-isible  church  Christ  hath  given  the 
ministry,  oracles  and  ordinances  of  God ;  and  out  of  it 


*  Episcopal,  Art.  X. 

f  Baptist,  Presbyt.  and  Congjeg.  IX.  1. 

J  Lutheran  and  Moravian  Conf.  Art.  XV'IH. 

§  Episcopal  Conf.  Art.  XI.  and  Methodist,  Art.  IX. 

II  Lutheran  and  Moravian  Conf.  Art.  VL 

^  Mctliodist  Uiscip.  Art.  X.  and  Episcopal  Conf.  Art.  XIL 


APOSTOLIC  PROTESTANT  CQNFESSIOX. 


211 


there  is  no  ordinary  possibility  of  salvation.*  For  the 
true  unity  of  the  church,  it  is  not  necessary  that  the 
same  rites  and  ceremonies,  instituted  by  men,  should 
be  eveiywhere  observed.f  The  purest  churches  under 
heaven  are  subject  both  to  mixture  and  error ;:{:  never- 
theless, Christ  always  hath  had  and  ever  shall  have  a 
visible  kingdom  in  this  world  to  the  end  thereof,  of 
such  as  believe  in  him  and  make  profession  of  his  name.§ 
There  is  no  other  head  of  the  church  but  the  Lord  Jesus 
Clirist ;  nor  can  the  pope  of  Kome  in  any  sense  be  the 
head  thereof.  || 

Aet.  YII. — Of  the  Sacraments,  Baptism  and  tlie  Lord''s 
Supper. 

The  sacraments  were  institututed  not  only  as  marks 
of  a  Christian  profession  among  men ;  but  ratl.er  as 
signs  and  evidences  of  the  divine  disposition  towards 
us,  tendered  fur  the  purpose  of  exciting  and  confirming 
the  faith  of  those  who  use  them.*|  There  be  only  two 
sacraments  ordained  by  Christ  our  Lord  in  the  Gospel, 
that  is  to  say,  Baptism  and  the  Supper  of  the  Lord.** 
Baptism  is  ordained  not  only  for  the  solemn  admission 
of  the  party  baptized  into  the  visible  church;  but  also 
to  be  unto  him  a  sign  of  the  covenant  of  grace,  of  re- 


•  Presbyterian  Conf.  Art.  XXV.  2.  3. 
\  Lutheran  and  Moravian,  Art.  VIL 

\  Prcsb.  XXV.  a  and  (  oufr.  XXVI.       Baptist,  Chap.  XXVII.  ~'  3. 

Conprcfrationul  C  nf.  Art.  XXVI  3.    Bupt,.  Chap.  XXVII.  §  3. 
5  Congr.  XXVI.  4  and  Prcsb.  XXV.  C. 
1  Lutheran  and  .Moravian  Conf.  Art.  XIII. 
«•  Prcpb.  Art.  XXVII.  4  and  Cong.  X.WIII.  4. 


212 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


generation,  of  remission  of  sins,"^  and  of  his  giving  up 
•unto  God,  through  Jesus  Christ,  to  walk  in  newness  of 
life.f  The  supper  of  the  Lord  is  not  only  a  sign  of  the 
love  that  Christians  ought  to  have  among  themselves ; 
but  rather  is  a  sacrament  of  our  redemption  by  Christ's 
death.:]: 

In  this  sacrament  Christ  is  not  offered  up,  nor  any 
real  sacrifice  made  at  all,  for  remission  of  sins  of  the 
quick  or  dead  ;  so  that  the  popish  sacrifice  of  the  mass, 
as  they  call  it,  is  most  injurious  to  Christ's  one  only 
sacrifice.§  That  doctrine  wliich  maintains  a  change  of 
the  bread  and  wine  into  Christ's  body  and  blood  (com- 
monly called  transubstantiation),  by  consecration  of  a 
priest,  or  in  any  other  way,  is  repugnant  not  to  Scrip- 
ture alone,  but  even  to  common  sense  and  reason.  |  The 
denying  of  the  cup  to  the  people,  and  worshipping  the 
elements,  or  carrying  them  about  for  adoration,  are  all 
contrary  to  the  institution  of  Christ.^f 

Akt.  YIII. —  Of  Purgatory^  etc. 

The  Romish  doctrine  concerning  purgatory,  worship- 
ping as  well  of  images  as  of  relics,  and  also  invocation 
of  saints,  is  repugnant  to  the  word  of  God.^^* 

*  Prcsb.  Art.  XXVIIL  1. 

\  Baptist,  Chap.  XXX.  §  1.    Presb.  Art.  XXVIIL  §  \.    Cong.  Art. 

XXIX.  §  1. 

X  Methcdist  Disc.  Art.  XVIII.  and  Episc  Art.  XXVIIL 
§  Prcsb.  Art.  XXIX.  2.  and  Conp.  XXX.  2.    Baptist  Ch.  XXXII 
§2. 

II  Baptist,  Ch.  XXII.  §  6.    Presb.  Conf.  Art.  XXIX.  G.  and  Cong. 

XXX.  6. 

1  Presb.  XXIX.  4.  Cong.  XXX.  4.  Baptist,  Chap.  XXXI 1.  §  4. 
**  Methodist  Disc.  Art.  XIV.  and  Episcopal,  Art.  XXII. 


APOSTOLIC  PROTESTANT  CONFESSION.  21$ 


Art.  IX. — Liberty  of  Conscience. 

God  alone  is  the  Lord  of  conscience,  and  hath  left  it 
free  fi'om  the  doctrines  and  commandments  of  men, 
which  are  in  anywise  contrary  to  his  word,  or  beside  it 
in  matters  of  faith  or  worship.  So  that  to  believe  such 
doctrines  or  to  obey  such  commandments  out  of  con- 
science, is  to  betray  true  liberty  of  conscience ;  and, 
the  requiring  of  an  implicit  faith,  and  an  absolute  and 
blind  obedience,  is  to  destroy  liberty  of  conscience  and 
reason  also.* 

Aet.  X. — Of  Civil  Government. 

God  the  supreme  Lord  and  King  of  all  the  world, 
hath  ordained  civil  magistrates  to  be,  under  him,  over 
the  people  for  his  own  glory  and  the  public  good ;  and 
to  this  end  hath  armed  them  with  power,  for  the  de- 
fence and  encouragement  of  them  that  do  good,  and  for 
the  punishment  of  evil-doers.f  The  power  of  the  ci\'il 
magistrate  extendeth  to  all  men,  as  well  clergy  as  laity 
in  things  temporal ;  but  hath  no  authority  in  things 
purely  spiritual.:}:  Christians  ought  to  yield  obedience 
to  the  civil  officers  and  laws  of  the  land  :  miless  they 
should  command  something  sinful ;  in  which  case  it  is 
a  duty  to  obey  God  rather  than  man.§ 


*  ProBb.  XX.  2.    Baptist,  XXf.  ?  2. 

t  Cong.  XXIV.  1.  and  Presb.  X.XIII.  1.  Baptist,  XXV.  §  1. 
t  Episc.  XXXVII. 

§  LutliL-ran  and  Moravian,  Art.  XVI. 


214 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


Art.  XI. — Communion  of  Saints. 

Saints  are  bound  to  maintain  a  holy  fellowship  and 
communion  in  the  worship  of  God,  and  in  performing 
such  other  spiritual  services  as  tend  to  their  mutual  ed- 
ification :  as  also  in  relieving  each  other  in  outward 
things,  according  to  their  several  abilities  and  necessi- 
ties ;  which  communion,  as  God  off'ereth  opportunity,  is 
to  be  extended  to  all  those  who  in  e\'ery  place  call  upon 
the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus.* 

Art.  XII. — Of  the  Future  Jitdjmmt  and  Retribution. 

At  the  end  of  the  world  Christ  Avill  appear  for  judg- 
ment ;  he  will  raise  the  dead,  he  will  give  to  the  pious 
eternal  life  .md  endless  joys  ;  but  will  condemn  wicked 
men  and  devils  to  be  punished  without  end.f  As 
Christ  would  have  us  to  be  certainly  persuaded  that 
there  shall  be  a  day  of  judgment,  to  deter  all  men  from 
sin,  so  will  he  have  that  day  unknown  to  men,  that 
they  may  shake  off  all  carnal  security,  and  be  always 
watchful,  because  they  know  not  at  what  hour  the  Lord 
will  come,  and  may  be  ever  prepared  to  say,  Coine, 
Lord  Jesus,  come  quicTcly.  Amen.^ 


*  Cong.  XXVIL  2,  and  Prcsb.  XXVL  2.    Baptist,  Ch.  XXVIIL  §  1. 
f  Lutheran  and  Moravian  Conf.  Art.  XVIL 
X  Baptist  Ch.  XXXIV.  §  3.    Presbyterian,  XXXIIL  3.  Congre- 
gational,  XXXH.  3. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


MODE  OF  OPERATION  AND  EESULTS. 

It  only  remains  that  a  few  words  be  said  as  to  the 
manner  in  which  this  plan  could,  with  very  little  delay, 
be  adopted  by  all  who  approve  of  its  principles  and 
are  desirous  of  co-operating  in  restoring  unity  to  the 
body  of  Christ.  The  call  of  a  general,  ecclesiastical, 
delegated  convention,  from  all  the  different  orthodox 
denominations,  would  probably  not  be  expedient  nor 
extensively  successful.  If  succesful,  it  would  bring  en- 
emies into  the  camp.  Some  men,  whose  influence  and 
standing  would  secure  their  election  as  delegates,  would 
oppose  and  thwart  the  work,  either  from  an  improper 
spirit,  or  want  of  acquaintance  with  the  subject. 

I.  Let  ministers  of  the  gospel,  on  suitable  occasions, 
inculcate  the  duty  of  Christian  union  from  the  sacred 
desk,  and  invite  the  attention  of  their  audience  to 
the  several  plans  of  union  which  have  been  pro- 
posed. 

II.  Let  benevolent  individuals  appropriate  funds  for 
the  i)urpo8e  of  8Uj)plying  the  ministers  and  elders  of 
synods,  or  presbyteries,  with  this  Appeal,  and  other 
similar  publications. 

in.  Let  the  friends  of  union,  of  dill'ercnt  dcnoiniiia- 


2l6 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


tions,  in  cities,  towns,  villages,  counties,  &c.,  form  them- 
selves into  voluntary  associations  for  tlie  promotion  of 
this  object.    These  associations  could 

(a)  Discuss  the  subject  of  Christian  union  in  all  its 
relations. 

(h)  Note  their  approbation  of  the  proposed  Plan  of 
Apostolic  Protestant  Union. 

(c)  Resolve  to  raise  funds  to  distribute  the  best  pub- 
lications on  the  subject. 

(d)  Resolve  to  bring  the  object  of  this  Appeal  before 
the  ecclesiastical  bodies  of  different  grades,  to  which 
they  respectively  belong. 

IV.  Let  ecclesiastical  bodies  of  every  grade,  and  also 
individual  congregations,  amicably  discuss  the  plan, 
and  if  they  approve  it,  resolve,  each  for  itself,  to  act  ac- 
cording to  it,  so  far  as  their  existing  standards  will 
allow. 

V.  But  the  entire  adoption  of  this  plan,  as  a  rule  of 
universal  action,  ought,  if  possible,  to  be  by  the  highest 
judicatory  or  ecclesiastical  body  of  each  denomination, 
so  as  to  embrace  all  its  members,  and  not  to  cause  in- 
ternal dissension. 

VI.  So  soon  as  any  two  denominations,  or  ecclesias- 
tical bodies,  adopt  the  plan,  they  constitute  the  nucleus 
of  the  Apostolic  Protestant  Cuukcu  ifi  America,  to 
which  one  denomination  after  the  other  can  be  added. 

VII.  In  the  whole  progi'ess  of  this  work,  let  it  be 
laid  down  as  a  fixed  principle  by  the  finends  of  union, 
that  tliey  will  not  press  for  ecclesiastical  action,  when 
the  decision  would  not  be  pretty  nearly  unanimous,  or 
at  all  events  when  a  considerable  minority  would  secede 
and  thus  form  a  new  sect.    In  voluntary  associations 


MODE  OF  OPERATION  AND  RESULTS.  21/ 


the  friends  of  the  cause  can  at  once  exert  all  their 
energies  in  promoting  the  spirit  of  union,  and  carrying 
forward  the  triumphs  of  the  gospel,  without  interfering 
with  their  dissentient  bretliren,  or  causing  new  schisms 
in  the  body  of  Christ. 

VIII.  If  any  orthodox  denomination  find  in  this 
Confession  a  single  article  or  sentence  or  idea,  which 
positively,  (not  by  inference),  teaches  what  they  regard 
as  error,  let  them  strike  it  out,  and  adopt  the  residue. 
The  miter  is,  however,  not  aware  that  such  a  clause  is 
found  in  it.  Other  denominations  would  then  also  omit 
it  as  a  disputed  point,  not  belonging  to  the  common 
ground  of  Protestantism,  and  the  residue  remain  as  the 
United  Protestant  Confession,  regularly  adopted  by  the 
confederated  denominations. 

IX.  Let  vacant  churches,  and  Christians  of  different 
denominations  in  destitute  villages  and  neighborhoods 
be  encouraged  to  miite  in  adopting  the  Apostolic  Pro- 
testant Confession,  and  plan  of  imion,  and  join  in  call- 
ing a  minister  of  any  one  of  the  confederated  de- 
nominations. 

X.  In  villages  and  other  places,  where  more  than 
the  necessary  number  of  ministers  are  stationed,  when 
death  or  any  other  cause  diminishes  that  number,  let 
not  others  be  called  to  supply  their  place,  but  let  the 
members  of  the  vacated  churches  permanently  unite 
with  the  brethren  of  the  other  churches.  Thus  will  the 
pastors  who  remain,  find  a  more  ready  sujjport,  their 
increased  churches  can  contribute  more  largely  for  the 
spread  of  the  gospel  elsewhere,  and  laborers  will  be 
spared  for  the  destitute.  If  the  evangelical  ministers 
of  our  land  of  all  denominations  could  bo  equally 

10 


2l8 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


distributed  tkrougliout  its  length  and  breadtli,  there 
would  not  only  be  a  suiScienej  for  the  whole  popula- 
tion, at  the  rate  of  one  to  a  thousand  souls,  but  at  least 
several  hundreds  could  be  spared  to  labor  among  the 
benighted  heathen.  Every  effort  should  therefore  be 
made  to  effect  such  a  distribiition  of  laborers,  as  far  as 
is  practicable  under  existing  circumstances.  A  'perfectly 
equal  distribution  did  indeed  not  exist  in  the  apostohc 
age,  nor  is  it  attainable  at  the  present  day  v\uthout  in- 
fringement of  Christian  liberty ;  yet  a  great  approxi- 
mation to  it  could  thus  be  effected. 

XI.  Let  each  of  the  confederated  denominations  and 
missionary  societies  both  voluntary  and  denominational 
resolve  not  to  send  a  minister  into  any  village  or  neigh- 
borhood already  adequately  supplied  by  a  minister 
from  another  branch  of  the  iiniou,  biit  advise  their 
members  to  unite  with  their  confederated  bretlu'en  in 
supporting  the  minister  already  stationed  among  them, 
or  some  other  one  of  good  standing  in  either  of  the  confed- 
erated denominations,  in  whose  support  they  can  agree. 

XII.  "Whenever  the  confederated  population  of  a 
district  is  unable  to  support  a  minister,  let  application 
be  made  to  the  proper  officers  of  the  missionary  society 
of  their  choice,  for  such  aid  as  they  may  need. 

Xni.  Let  the  education  and  missionary  societies 
of  the  confederated  cliurches  confer  with  each  other, 
adopt  rules  of  cooperation,  and  resolve  with  renewed 
ardor  by  the  help  of  God  to  sup])ly  every  destitute 
place  in  our  land  with  faithful  ministers,  and  labor 
with  re-doubled  zeal  in  the  definite  enterprize  of  send- 
ing the  gospel  to  every  rational  creature  throughout 
"  the  field  of  the  world." 


MODE  OF  OPERATION  AND  RESULTS.  219 


This  plan  would  tend  to  produce  unity  of  spirit  first, 
whilst  it  will  prepare  the  way  for  greater  unity  in 
external  forms ;  if  the  Lord  designs  to  effect  it.  If  its 
prominent  features  were  faithfully  carried  out,  the  Pro- 
testant church  would  present  as  much  external  unity 
of  organization,  as  that  of  the  apostolic  age,  and  there- 
fore in  all  probabilty  as  much  as  is  desirable ;  whilst, 
happy  consummation !  the  members  of  the  Saviour's 
body  would  again  have  the  same  care  for  one  another ; 
and  whether  one  member  suffer,  all  the  members  suffer 
with  it,  or  one  member  be  honored,  all  the  members  re- 
joice with  it !  And  the  intellect  of  the  Christian  church 
would  no  longer  be  expended  in  internal  contentions, 
but  aU  her  energies  be  directed  to  the  conversion  of  the 
world. 

The  Conversion  of  the  TVokld 

Is  indeed  the  grand  enterprize  of  Christianity,  in  which 
every  denomination,  every  minister,  and  every  member 
of  the  church  should  feel  bound,  in  some  way  or  other, 
personally  to  labor.  The  cordial  adoption  of  this  plan 
of  union,  it  is  conceived,  would  operate  most  efficiently 
in  advancing  this  glorious  object ;  and  the  writer  feels 
constrained  in  concluding  this  Appeal,  to  present  some 
considerations  as  a  supplementary  appeal,  on  the  en- 
couragements and  feasibilty  of  this  work,  which,  though 
superfluous  for  many,  may  not  be  useless  to  some  of  his 
readers.  Indeed  the  signs  of  the  times  seem  on  the 
whole  encouraging.  TluMigh  wc  live  in  an  age  of  in- 
tellectual revolution,  it  is  also  an  age  of  moral  reforma- 
tion. Notwithstanding  some  .adverse  circumstances, 
the  time  for  Zion's  enlagement  seems  to  be  drawing 


220  FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 

near.  The  church  is  shaking  herself  from  the  dust  of 
accumulated  ages ;  and  the  Son  of  God  appears  to  be 
coming  in  his  glory,  conquering  and  to  conquer  the 
kingdoms  of  this  earth.  'Tis  but  the  lifetime  of  three 
-  or  four  individuals  since  nearly  the  whole  church  of 
Christ  on  earth  was  fast  bound  in  chains  of  papal  super- 
stition and  corruption.  But  the  Son  of  man  said,  Let 
there  be  light  !  and  the  light  of  the  refonnation  burst 
forth,  ilhmiinino;  and  vivifying  countless  numbers  who 
had  been  groping  in  darkness,  and  been  enveloped  in 
the  shades  of  death.  'Tis  but  the  lifetime  of  one  man, 
since  VoUaire  yet  warped  the  intellect  of  Europe,  and 
cherished  the  hope  of  subverting  the  foundations  of 
Christianity ;  when  seated  in  his  closet,  with  "  Crush 
the  "Wretch,"  for  his  blasphemous  motto,  he  indited  his 
intidel  effusions,  whilst  the  malice  of  hell  was  ranlding 
in  his  breast  and  his  pen  recorded  the  inspirations  of 
the  devil.  But  how  changed  are  now  the  prospects  of 
"  the  kingdom  of  heaven !"  Infidelity,  foiled  in  the 
conflict,  is  gradually  retreating  from  the  field.  The 
disciples  of  the  Master,  especially  in  England  and 
America,  are  waking  up  from  their  lifeless  fonnality. 
A  higher  and  holier  standard  of  duty  is  beginning  to 
regulate  their  works  of  faith  and  love.  A  more  expan- 
sive spirit  of  benevolence  is  beginning  to  mark  out  the 
circumference  of  their  sympathies.  Every  benevolent 
effort  based  on  the  true  spirit  of  the  gospel  finds 
friends;  and,  though  oft  amid  difficulties  and  o])po- 
sitioM,  does  not  fail  to  work  its  way  into  the  contidcnee 
of  Christians.  So  that  verily  they  that  love  the  Lord 
indeed,  have  reason  "  to  thank  (lod  and  take  courage." 
But  while  the  church  is  Avaking  up  and  looking 


MODE  OF  OPERATION  AND  RESULTS.  221 


abroad  over  the  length  and  breadth  of  the  desolations 
around  her,  and  ere  she  has  half  supplied  them,  the 
Master  is  loudly  calling  from  the  East  and  the  West, 
from  the  North  and  the  South,  and  reiterating  in  our 
ears  his  long-forgotten  mandate  :  The  field  is  the  world  ! 
To  the  few  who  in  the  last  thirty  years  have  gone 
abroad,  he  has  signally  verified  his  promise,  "  Lo,  I  am 
-with  you  always,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world." 
Nation  after  nation  has  he  prepared  to  I'eceive  his  mes- 
sengers, until  the  entire  gentile  world  may  be  regarded 
as  accessible,  and  the  sufferings,  and  cruelties,  and 
abominations  of  heatheiiism  have  been  unfolded  to  our 
view.  The  cruel,  the  bloody  rites  by  which  these  vic- 
tims of  superstition  attempt  to  appease  the  anger  of 
their  unknown  God,  have  been  so  fully  described  to  us 
by  the  numerous  laborers  already  scut  among  them, 
that  hard,  indeerl,  must  be  the  heart  that  does  not  feel. 
"Whilst  we  are  meditating  on  this  subject,  and  rejoicing 
in  the  richness  and  freeness  of  salvation  through  the 
Saviour,  some  one  of  the  many  thousands  of  widows 
who  ai-o  annually  immolated  in  India  on  the  funeral 
pile  of  their  husbands,  by  the  relentless  superstitioTi  of 
their  land,  may  at  this  moment  be  ascending  the  fatal 
|)ile  !  Reader,  behold  her  tied  down  to  the  lifeless 
body  of  her  husband.  See  the  flames,  lighted  by  her 
own  son,  consuming  her  body;  hear  her  terrific  shrieks 
until  they  are  drowned  by  the  beating  of  drums  and 
the  acclamations  of  the  infuriated  multitude !  Or 
see  her  buried  with  her  de[)arted  husband — the  liv- 
ing and  the  dead  in  the  same  grave  !  Or  behold 
the  deluded  mother  castinjr  her  first-born  into  the 
river,  and  standing  to  see  the  little  innocent  seized 


222 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


by  contending  alligators,  and  torn  to  pieces,  its  bones 
broken  and  its  blood  sucked  by  the  successful  monster ! 
Or  see  the  deluded  worshipper  suspended  in  the  air  by 
large  iron  hooks  thrust  into  his  side,  and  thus  violently 
swung  around  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour !  Or  behold 
iiini  casting  himself  from  an  elevated  stage  on  open 
knives,  lightly  covered  with  cotton  !  Or  walking  with 
.naked  feet  on  burning  coals  !  Contemplate  these  and 
similar  scenes  of  degradation  and  suffering,  in  which 
'  600,000,000  of  our  fellow-men  are  yet  more  or  less  in- 
volved ;  degradation  which  excludes  its  subjects  from  a 
holy  heaven ;  sufferings  to  relieve  which  the  Son  of 
God  descended  to  earth,  provided  a  ransom,  and  com- 
manded his  disciples  to  publish  it  to  every  rational 
creature ;  contemplate  these  scenes  and  say  have  the 
churches  a  rigid  to  expend  their  strength  in  unholy 
contentions  with  one  another,  or  in  sustaining  an  un- 
necessary number  of  institutions  and  teachers  to  propa- 
gate their  minor  peculiarities?  Contemplate  these 
scenes,  and  say  what  have  the  churches  done  to  spread 
the  glad  tidings  of  relief?  How  have  they  responded 
even  to  the  calls  of  the  few  of  our  countrymen  who  have 
gone,  for  example,  to  India,  that  land  of  "  thick  dark- 
ness." Let  one  of  their  own  number  answer,  who 
spent  his  life  in  the  cause.  In  a  letter  from  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Poor,  of  the  American  Board^  whicli  reached  the 
writer*  two  years  since,  that  devoted  servant  of  Christ 
says  :  "  We  marvel  that  our  cry,  Come  over  and  help  tis, 
is  not  more  regarded  by  our  brethren  in  America.  The 


*  About  1837,  two  years  before  tlio  first  edition  of  this  work  wiis 
]>ui)lishe(l 


MODE  OF  OPERATION  AND  RESULTS.  223 


liarvest  is  perisliing,  is  jperiahing  for  want  of  laborers. 
We  definitely  requested  tweatj-seven  for  this  field  ;  in 
return,  one  individual  lias  just  arrived." 

Why  is  it  then,  that  after  the  lapse  of  eighteen 
hundred  years  so  little  has  been  done,  that  one-half  of 
our  own  country  is  yet  destitute,  that  four-fifths  of  the 
human  race  have  never  heard  of  the  sinner's  friend  ? 
Is  there  any  defect  in  the  system  of  instrumentahty  ap- 
pointed by  God  ?  That  system  admits  of  extension  to 
an  indefinite  degree,  of  extension  adequate  to  the  wants 
of  the  world.  The  Bible  admits  of  translation  into  the 
thousand  languages  of  the  earth,  as  well  as  the  hundred 
and  fifty  in  which  it  is  found,*  the  preacliing  of  the 
gospel  is,  in  the  nature  of  things,  as  applicable  to  one 
nation  as  to  another,  and  as  well  to  all  nations  as  to 
some.  And  there  is  the  same  promise  of  the  divine 
blessing ;  and  the  same  prospect  of  a  rich  harvest  of 
believing  souls.  IIow  can  the  heathen  believe  in  him 
of  whom  they  have  not  heard  ?  IIow  can  they  hear  with- 
out a  preacher  ?  Here  then  is  at  present  the  grand 
difficulty.  The  want  of  ministers  is  now  the  funda- 
mental obstacle  to  the  spread  of  the  gospel  over  the 
earth.  Here  is  the  point  at  which  the  greatest  system 
of  machinery  for  the  conversion  of  the  ,world  at  this 
time  labors.  And  on  whom  does  the  guilt  of  this  defi- 
ciency rest?  Are  ministers  now  called  to  this  work  by 
inspiration  \  Since  the  prinxitive  band  of  fishermen 
and  tentniakers  was  inducted  by  the  Saviour  himself, 
their  successors  in  office  have  been  introduced  into  the 


*  In  the  last  thirty  years  the  number  of  transhitions  lias  increased 
to  about  two  luindred. 


224 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


field  by  the  iustnimentalitj  of  man.  One  of  tlie  stand- 
ing injunctions  of  the  ministry  is,  "  The  things  which 
thou  hast  ]ieard  of  me  amongst  many  witnesses,  the 
same  commit  thou  to  faithful  men,  who  shall  be  able  to 
teach  others  also."  It  is  therefore  our  duty  to  multiply 
faithful  ministers  imtil  "  the  gospel  of  the  kingdom 
shall  be  preached  in  all  the  world." 

Let  the  followers  of  the  Saviour  then  go  to  Avork  with 
the  full  conviction  that  the  duty  enjoined  on  them  is 
jpracticahle. 

About  twenty  years  ago  (in  1819,  now  fifty  years 
since),  there  were  not  thirty  young  men  sustained  by 
the  churches  in  our  land,  in  preparation  for  the  minis- 
try, and  yet  the  great  difficxdty  then  was  want  of  mo- 
ney. Since  that  period  the  churches  have  learned 
something  of  their  duty,  and  aided  upwards  of  three 
thousand  young  men.*  Xow  the  greatest  difiiculty 
is  want  of  men.  But  in  reality  the  true  diffimlty, 
first  and  last,  has  heen  xoant  of  zeal  in  the  churches. 
The  Spirit  of  God  opens  the  door  of  access  to  the 
heathen  world  faster  than  laborers  come  to  enter 
it.  The  Spirit  of  God  has  made  Christians  Avilling 
to  support  and  send  forth  young  men,  just  in  pro- 
portion as  this  duty  was  urged  upon  them.  And  the 
self-same  Spirit  has  made  young  men  willing  to  de- 
vote themselves  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  just  in 
proportion  as  ministers  have  faithfully  spread  before 
their  peo])lc  the  wretched  condition  of  the  heathen 
world,  and  Christians  have  labored  and  prayed  to  find 
workmen  for  the  Lord. 


*  And  how  many  thousands  more  since  ? 


MODE  OF  OPERATION  AND  RESULTS.  225 


Let  tlie  churches  form  definite  ideas  of  the  work  to 
be  performed,  and,  in  reliance  on  God,  purpose  its  ac- 
complishment. Our  efforts  are  often  paralyzed  by  the 
supposed  incalculable  vastness  of  the  work.  Otu*  faith 
often  wavers,  because  not  based  on  intelligible  "  evi- 
dence of  the  things  not  seen."  It  was  thought  a  gigan- 
tic conception*  when  the  American  Bible  Society  re- 
solved within  a  few  years  to  fm-nish  the  book  of  God  to 
every  destitute  family  in  our  land.  It  appeared  so  only 
because  the  extent  of  the  enterprise  and  the  means  for 
its  accomplishment  had  not  been  definitely  surveyed. 
Thus  also  the  conversion  of  the  world  appears  even  to 
some  Christians  as  "  idle  words,  and  they  believe  them 
not;"  yet,  when  rightly  viewed,  it  is  not  beyond 
the  bounds  of  reasonable  calculation.  Eating  the  un- 
evangelized  world  at  600,000,000,  and  allowing  1,000 
souls  to  each  miuister,  it  has  sometimes  been  said  we 
must  furnish  600,000  laborers.  But  far  less  will  suffice. 
Supposing  each  preacher  to  take  charge  of  four  or  five 
stations,  he  could  preach  the  gospel  at  least  to  2,000 
souls.  The  number  tlms  required  would  be  300,000. 
The  converted  heathen  will,  in  the  progress  of  this 
work,  furnish  more  than  ten  times  as  many  laborers  as 
it  will  be  necessary  to  send  to  them,  and  this  would  be 
less  than  they  did  in  the  apostolic  age.  AVe  would  then 
need  about  30,000  laborers  for  the  heathen  world,  to  be 
sent  from  the  present  Chnstian  churches.  This  num- 
ber would,  we  doubt  nt)t,  together  with  the  native  aux- 
iliaries, and  the  Bible,  and  tract,  and  sabbath-school 


*  Some  thirty  years  ago  the  first  supply  of  the  whole  country  was 
undertaken. 


226 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


eflForts,  be  amply  sufficient,  by  the  divine  blessing,  to 
prejtch  the  gospel  to  every  creature,  to  bring  all  the 
heathen  world  under  the  infliience  of  the  means  of  salva- 
tion; especially  if,  like  the  proto-missionaries  of  the  Sa- 
viour, many  of  them  should  travel  from  place  to  place, 
remaining  only  long  enough  in  each  to  form  a  congrega- 
tion of  believers,  and  then,  appointing  from  their  num- 
ber the  most  pious,  talented,  and  faithful,  as  pastors  for 
the  flock,  pursue  their  course.  This  method  was  found 
'  adequate  in  the  apostolic  age,  and  might  now  be  pur- 
sued (as  it  is  in  part)  with  the  greater  propriety,  as  the 
missionary  would  leave  the  loritlen  word  in  every  church 
thus  formed.  Is  it -objected  by  any  that  these  teachers 
would  be  ignorant  of  the  history  of  the  church,  and 
other  important  matters  ?  "We  hesitate  not,  in  reply,  to 
express  it  as  our  solemn  and  deliberate  conviction,  that 
'it  would  be  better  for  the  heathen  world  never  to  hear 
of  Augustine,  and  Luther,  and  Calvin,  and  Zwingli,  and 
Arminius,  and  Wesley,  than  to  be  rent  into  suchamul- 
titude  of  contending  sects,  and  be  embittered  by  bigoted 
disputes,  as  the  Protestant  church  generally  has  been. 
A  Christianity  built  upon  the  Bible,  and  on  the  Bible 
alone,  like  that  of  the  earlier  Christians  ai.d  the  modern 
Moravians,  will  suffice  for  the  salvation  of  any  nation. 
But  the  well  educated  missionaries  themselves  would  be 
possessed  of  all  the  coUateral  science  requisite  to  illus- 
trate and  defend  the  sacred  volume,  and  could  commu- 
nicate it,  Avhilst  institutions  for  Christian  science  and 
learning  could  be  gradually  established  in  all  nations, 
for  the  publication  of  the  Scriptures  and  the  gradual 
elevation  of  ministerial  education  among  the  natives. 
Nor  id  it  necessary  that  all  the  missionaries  sent  out 


MODE  OF  OPERATION  AND  RESULTS.  22/ 


should  receive  a  classical  education.  Of  those  des- 
tined for  uncivilized  countries,  such  as  Africa,  whilst 
some  should  be  thoroughly  educated,-  the  major  part^ 
•would  be  quite  as  efficient  after  four  or  five  years  in- 
struction in  Christian  doctrine  and  duty,  some  of  the 
physical  sciences,  especially  medical  botany,  agricul- 
ture, or  some  suitable  trade,  in  pastoral  duties,  and  the 
language  of  their  destination.  If  such  a  ministry  is 
successful  in  our  own  comitry,  as  is  seen  in  the  case  of 
our  Moravian  and  Methodist  brethren,  much  more 
would  it  be  adequate  to  theWants  of  many  portions  of 
the  missionary  field. 

Probably,  too,  it  would  be  wise  to  establish  one  or . 
more  missionary  seminaries  in  our  land,  under  the  joint 
patronage  of  the  different  missionaiy  boards,  to  which 
all,  of  different  denominations,  might  resort,  and  in 
which  the  several  cardinal  languages  of  Asia,  Africa, 
and  aboriginal  America  should  be  taught,  either  by  na-- 
tives  or  by  men  wlio  acquired  them  in  those  several 
countries,  and  in  which  an  education  peculiarly  mis- 
sionary should  be  given. 

And  how  long  would  it  Wquire  until  the  church 
could  funiish  tliese  30,000  missionaries  ?  Kot  so  long 
as  we  are  accustomed  to  imagine,  if  the  Protestant 
churclies  would  come  up  to  a  standard  of  duty  per- 
fectly attainable  and  certainly  obligatory.  The  apos- 
tles found  "  in  every  city"  in  the  churches  established 
by  them  (averaging  probably  at  that  period  not  fifty 
male  members)  materials  for  "  appointing  elders"  or 
preachers.  Ilonce  we  may  justly  infer  that  every 
church,  on  an  average,  docs  contain  at  least  several  per- 
srms  whose  duty  it  is  to  devote  thcMUselvcs  to  thi<  work'. 


228 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


2ixAif  a  jproper  standard  of  piety  were  maintained^  and 
suitable  effort  made  to  dii'ect  them,  tliey  could  now  be 
found  as  well  as  in  the  apostolic  age.  Xoav,  it  is  calcu- 
lated that  there  are  15,000  Protestant  churches  in  the 
United  States,  about  20,000  in  Great  Britain,  and  about 
50,000  in  Continental  Europe.  Supposing  6,500  of 
all  these  85,000  cliurches  which  is  not  one-fourth  of  tlae 
number  in  Great  Britain  and  the  United  States,  were 
to  take  active  part  in  this  work,  and  furnish  each  one 
theological  student  every  five  years,  which  is  far  less 
than  some  of  themhave  done  and  are  now  doing,  v^e  should 
in  ten  years  have  15,000  laborers  paitly  in  the  field, 
and  partly  in  a  course  of  preparation.  In  twenty  years 
we  should  have  30,000  thus  designated,  from  which  de- 
ducting 5,000  for  the  r.ivages  of  death  and  other  Ml- 
nres,  we  should  have  left  25,000  laborers,  who  in  twenty- 
five  or  thii'ty  years  might  all  be  in  the  foreign  field,  all 
professing  one  and  the  same  doctriyial  Confession,  ae- 
knowled";ing  each  other's  ecclesiastical  and  ministerial 
standing,  holding  with  each  other  ministerial  and  sa- 
cramental communion,  and  though  differing  on  the  con- 
fessedly minor  matters  of*  church  government,  yet  co- 
operating as  one  people  in  every  good  word  and  work, 
and  caring  one  for  the  other  as  members  of  the  same 
body,  of  which  Christ  is  the  only  head ! 

But  how  can  Christians  he  hr  ought  up^  to  this  duty? 
Let  parents  feel  that  their  children  are  not  their  own, 
but  the  Lord's ;  and  as  "  the  Lord  hath  need  of  them," 
let  them  from  infancy  dedicate  them  to  God,  and  strive 
to  instill  into  their  youthful  minds  the  duty  and  glory 
of  serving  God,  if  called,  among  the  heathen.  Let 
every  mother  strive  to  be  a  Hannah,  and  dedicate  her 


MODE  OF  OPERATION  AND  RESULTS.  229 


little  Samuel  to  the  sanctuary  of  God.  Let  every 
father  be  an  Abraham,  ready  to  sun*ender  his  son  to 
the  sovereiga  disposal  of  Jehovah. 

Let  ministers  cease  to  waste  their  strength  ia  con- 
tending against  one  another ;  let  them  study  the  con- 
dition of  the  heathen  until  their  own  hearts  are  warmed 
with  the  subject,  and  then  let  them  hold  up  to  the  view 
of  their  hearers  the  duty  of  sending  the  gospel  to  the 
heathen,  and  of  being  willing  to  take  it  to  them,  as  fre- 
quently and  faithfully  as  they  do  the  duty  of  repent- 
ance and  faith.  Let  fidelity  on  this  point  be  regarded 
and  incidcated  as  an  essential  evidence  of  Christian 
character,  as  it  doubtless  will  be  in  the  case  of  all  those 
who  have  been  faithfully  instructed. 

Again,  let  churches,  which  feel  their  duty  on  this 
subject,  cordially  co-operate  and  formally  resoh'e  that 
they  will,  by  the  divine  blessing,  endeavor  to  furnish  at 
least  the  stipulated  number,  one  student  every  five 
years,  and  if  possible  more,  for  this  work.  Let  this 
duty  be  made  a  subject  of  special  supplication  at  every 
monthly  concert,  and  let  pastor  and  people  co-operate 
in  seeking  out  pious  and  talented  young  men,  and  lay- 
ing the  subject  before  them. 

Let  ecclesiastical  jiidicataries,  of  every  grade  and 
every  denomination,  discuss  and  recommend  the  subject 
to  their  churches,  as  they  did  tlie  temperance  clibrt. 
Let  all  denominations  take  part,  and  co-operate  in  the 
work,  on  tlie  apostolic,. liberal  jirinciplcs  laid  down  in 
this  plan  of  union.  Let  diflereut  societies,  voluntary 
and  ecclesiastical,  direct  their  attention  each  to  a  par- 
ticular heathen  nation,  that  there  may  be  as  little  inter- 
ference as  possible.    Let  our  theological  seminaries  bo 


230 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


SO  modified  as  to  substitute  a  Missionary  Professorship, 
instead  of  that  of  Polemical  Theology;  and  finally,  let 
all  be  done  under  the  conviction  that  the  worTc  is  the 
Loi'd's,  and  its  issue  is  in  his  divine  hands. 

This  glprious,  this  millennial  entei-prize  would  re- 
quire and  would  lead  to  an  enlargement  of  education 
and  niissionaiy  operations  to  a  millennial  scale.  Yet  it 
4s  all  possible ;  nor  would  the  education  of  the  poor, 
and  the  mission  of  all  these  men,  require  greater  pecu- 
niary sacrifices  from  the  church  at  large,  than  some 

'  dividual  Christians  are  now  making  ;  nor  a  tithe  of  the 
Protestant  wealth  from  the  livin":,  tog-ether  with  the 
increase  of  legacies  which  such  a  state  of  effort  and 
pi,ety  among  Christians  would  produce.  Even  the 
Protestant  churches  in  the  United  States  alone,  as  is 
evident  from  the  above  calculations,  could  accomplish 
this  work  in  less  than  half  a  century.  They  could  fur- 
nish and  send  forth  the  necessary  number  of  laborers, 
if  they  would  declare  a  perpetual  amnesty  among  them- 
selves, and  concentrate  their  utmost  efforts  on  some 
plan  of  union  like  the  one  here  recommended.  In  the 
progi-oss  of  this  work,  too,  the  Lord  may  raise  up  some 

.  Constantines  who  will  direct  the  energies  of  their  em- 
i)ire  to  this  glorious  work  ;  kings  may  become  "  nursing 
fathers,  and  queens  nursing  mothers"  to  his  Zion ;  ho 
will  pour  out  the  influences  of  his  Spirit  in  pentecostal 
measures,  and  nations  may  be  bom  in  a  day ;  so  that 
the  human  instrumentality  required  may  even  be  much 
less  than  above  stated.  Amen,  Lord  Jesus,  come 
quickly ! 

In  conclusion,  m'c  W()uld  commend  this  luimble, 
well-meant  Appeal  to  the  blessing  of  that  divine  Sa- 


MODE  OF  OPERATION'  AND  RESULTS. 


231 


vioul',  "who  has  ■watched  over  his  church  amidst  all  the 
vicissitudes  of  her  eventful  history.  If  "this  plan  is  ac- 
cordant with  his  will,  may  he  graciously  accept  and, 
prosper  it ;  and  if  not,  may  he  defeat  it,  and  at  the  day 
of  final  account  regard  with  favor  the  upright  intention 
from  which  it  has  emanated ! 


CHAPTER  IX. 


MODIFIED  PLAN  PKOPOSED. 

"We  now  invite  the  attention  of  the  friends  of  Zion 
to  the  modified  Plan  of  Union,  promised  in  the  intro- 
ductory part  of  this  work"  for  modifying  the  American 
Branch  of  the  Evangelical  Alliance,  by  engrafting  on 
it  the  inter-denominational  feature  of  the  Advisory 
Council,  formed  in  Kew  York,  October  20,  1869. 
Other  changes  of  importance  are  also  proposed,  for  the 
purpose  of  arranging  all  the  several  branches  of  the 
Evangelical  Alliance,  Foreign  and  American,  into  one 
Advisory  Union  of  the  Entire  Protestant  World. 

The  Generic  Plan  embraces 

I. 

The  "World's  Evangelical  Alliastce  ; 
being  an  Advisory,  Voluntary  Association. 

11. 

TnE  National  Branches  of  the  Evangelical 
Alliance. 

The  American  Branch  to  be  Denominational  or 
Yoluntary,  as  may  be  decided  at  its  next  annual 
meeting. 

*  The  reader  is  requested  to  re-pcnise  those  pages  (40  to  49)  io 
connection  with  this  chapter. 
(132) 


MODIFIED  PLAN"  PROPOSED. 


The  British,  French,  German  and  other  Foreign 
National  Branches  to  remain  Yoluntary  Associations, 
under  the  entire  control  of  their  members. 

III. 

Peuiaey  Branches. 

In  America  these  are  denominational,  consisting  of 
the  highest  ecclesiastical  hodies  of  each  denomination, 
as  the  General  Assembly,  or  General  Conventions  or 
Synods. 

In  Foreign  countries  the  auxiliaries  of  each  national 
branch  are  its  Primary  Branches,  and  are  also  Volun- 
tary Associations. 

Details  of  the  Plan. 
I. 

The   World's   Eoangdical  Alliance,  representing 
the  Church  Universal, 

1.  This  body  consists  of  delegates,  both  clerical  and 
lay,  as  nearly  as  may  be  in  equal  numbers,  from  the 
churches  and  conventions  in  all  nations  which  pass 
resolutions  desii'ing  to  unite  with  it,  and  approving  of 
its  Doctrinal  Basis,  Constitution  and  Design.  This 
equal  relation  of  clerical  and  lay  representation  should 
be  aimed  at  in  all  Branches  of  the  Alliance, 

2.  The  churches  connected  with  each  of  the  National 
Branch  Alliances,  the  British,  the  German,  the  French, 
the  American,  the  Swiss,  etc.,  shall  determine  the  man- 
ner in  xoliich  their  representatives  shall  he  elected: 


234 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


whether  by  their  l^ational  Branch  Alliances,  or  by 
their  denominational  bodies,  or  by  voluntary  conven- 
tions of  their  members. 

3.  The  "World's  Evangelical  Alliance  shall  hold  at 
least  one  meeting  every  seven  years,  and  may  meet  as 
much  oftener  as  may  be  agreed  on,  either  at  the  time 
of  adjournment,  or  by  subsequent  consultation  among 
the  members  and  officers  of  the  last  meeting. 

4.  The  Doctrinal  Basis  of  the  Alliance  in  all  its  de- 
partments shall  be  the  one  adopted  at  the  formation 
of  this  body  at  London,  in  September,  1840,  and  no 
member  shall  be  admitted  to  a  seat,  either  in  the 
World's  Alliance  or  in  any  one  of  its  National  Branches, 
until  he  has  signed  this  Doctrinal  Basis  and  avowed 
his  approval  of  the  Design  and  Constitution  of  the 
Alliance. 

These  doctrines  are  as  follows  : 

1.  The  divine  inspiration,  authority  and  sufficiency 
of  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

2.  The  right  and  duty  of  private  judgment  in  the 
interpretation  of  the  Holy  Scriptures. 

3.  The  Unity  of  the  Godhead,  and  the  Trinity  of 
the  persons  therein. 

4.  The  utter  depravity  of  human  nature  in  conse- 
quence of  the  Fall. 

5.  The  incarnation  of  the  Son  of  God,  his  work  of 
atonement  for  sinners  of  mankind,  and  his  mediatorial 
intercession  and  reign. 

0.    The  justification  of  the  sinner  by  faith  alone. 


MODIFIED  PLAX  PROPOSED. 


7.  The  work  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  the  conversion  and 
sanctification  of  the  sinner. 

8.  The  immortalitv  of  the  soul,  the  resurrection  of 
the  body,  the  judgment  of  the  world  by  our  Lord  Je- 
sus Clirist,  with  the  eternal  blessedness  of  the  righteous, 
and  the  eternal  punishment  of  the  wicked. 

9.  The  divine  institution  of  the  Christian  ministry, 
and  the  obligation  and  perpetuity  of  the  ordinances  of 
Baptism  and  the  Lord's  Supper. 

It  being,  however,  distinctly  declared  that  this  brief 
summary  is  not  to  be  regarded  in  any  formal  or  ecclesi- 
astical sense,  as  a  creed  or  confession,  nor  the  adoption 
of  it  as  involving  an  assumption  of  the  right  authorita- 
tively to  define  the  limits  of  Christian  brotherhood, 
but  simply  as  an  indication  of  the  class  of  persons 
whom  it  is  desirable  to  embrace  within  the  Alliance. 

5.  Tlie  powers  of  the  Evangelical  Alliance  in  all 
its  departments,  are  only  those  of  an  Advisory  Council  ; 
and  in  all  its  operations,  it  is  not  intended  to  interfere 
with  the  existing  ecclesiastical  organizations,  but  to 
co-operate  with  them  in  such  manner  as  may  from  time 
to  time  be  deemed  most  consistent  with  the  princi- 
ples here  enunciated. 

6.  The  design  of  the  Alliance  is  not  to  form  a  new 
sect,  nor  to  effect  an  amalgamation  of  denominations ; 
but,  leaving  the  denominational  interests  and  relations 
of  the  several  churches  to  their  own  free  development 
under  the  Providence  of  God,  the  design  of  the  Alliance, 
in  all  its  dcpartmentis,  is  in  the  form  of  Advimnj  Con- 
ferenccs  or  Councils,  to  promote  Evangelical  Union  and 
harmonious  co-operation  in  advancing  the  common  in- 


236 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


terest  of  our  holy  religion,  including  Home  Evangeli- 
zation and  Foreign  Missions ;  and  provision  for  heathen 
and  other  destitute  emigrants ;  to  exhibit  the  essen- 
tial unity  of  the  Church  of  Christ ;  to  counteract  the  in- 
fluence of  infidelity  and  superstition,  especially  in  their 
organized  forms ;  to  assist  the  cause  of  religious  truth 
everywhere  ;  to  hold  up  the  supreme  authority  of  tlio 
Word  of  God ;  to  urge  the  observance  of  the  Lord's 
Day ;  to  correct  the  immoral  habits  of  society ;  and 
to  promote  among  the  nations  of  the  earth  and 

good  will  among  men. 

11. 

National  Beanch  Alliajstces. 

1.  Each  National  Branch  Alliance  determines  the 
mode  of  its  own  ori>:anization,  and  of  selecting  its  dele- 
gates  to  the  World's  Alliance.  Owing  to  the  union  of 
Church  and  State,  the  European  Branches  cannot  re- 
present churches,  but  on]y  individual  Cliristlans. 

2.  Each  National  Branch  Alliance  shall  meet  an- 
nually, according  to  its  own  adjournment,  or  at  the 
call  of  its  President,  by  request  of  half  its  executive 
committee. 

3.  The  American  Branch  of  the  Alliance  shall  be 
Inter-denominational,  and  its  delegated  members  shall 
be  in  Senatorial  representation,  an  equal  number 
being  elected  by  and  from  each  of  the  confederated  de- 
nominations, according  to  the  qiiota  fixed  by  the  Na- 
tional Alliance  at  its  previous  meeting,  for  the  i)resent 
say  ten  or  fifteen  to  each  denomination. 

4.  (a.)  These  Delegates,  elected  by  the  highest  ecclesi- 
astical body  of  each  denomination,  such  as  General 


MODIFIED  PLAN  PROPOSED. 


Assemblies,  or  General  Conventions,  or  General  Synods, 
or  General  Conferences,  etc.,  are  alone  entitled  to 
speak,  to  vote,  to  be  eligible  to  office,  or  to  participate 
in  the  transaction  of  the  business ;  and  in  addition  to 
delegates  there  may  also  be  admitted 

(5.)  Visiting  members,  who  may  constitute  them- 
selves such,  by  their  own  application,  and  by  subscrib- 
ing to  the  Doctrinal  Basis,  as  well  as  declaring  their 
approval  of  the  Design  and  Constitution  of  the  Alliance, 
and  beinof  remdar  mendiers  in  c^ood  standincr  of  some 
Evangelical  Denomination. 

(<7.)  By  subscribing  to  this  Doctrinal  Basis,  both 
classes  of  members  "  solemnly  re-affirm  and  profess 
their  faith  in  all  the  doctrines  of  the  inspired  Word 
of  God,  and  in  the  consensus  of  doctrines  as  held  by  all 
true  Christians  from  the  beginning.  And  more  especi- 
ally do  they  profess  Iheir  belief  in  the  divine-human 
person,  and  atoning  worTc,  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ,  as  the  only  sufficient  source  of  salvation, 
as  the  heart  and  soul  of  Christianity,  as  the  centre  of 
all  true  Christian  union  and  fellowship." 

{d.)  The  members  of  both  classes  before  taking 
their  seats  in  the  American  P)ranch  shall  contribute 
at  least  one  dollar  for  the  expenses  and  purjjoses  of  the 
Association. 

5.  The  business  of  this  Alh"ance  shall  be  to  discuss 
the  various  interests  of  the  Itedeemer's  kingdom  in  the 
nation  and  throughout  the  world ;  and  to  propose  and 
execute,  both  by  its  own  agencieo,  and  through  the  co- 
operation of  the  judicatories  of  the  different  constituent 
denominational  Branches,  all  such  measures  as  are  re- 


238 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


comnunended  bj  the  World's  Alliance,  and  as  they 
themselves  shall  regard  conducive  to  the  progress  of 
the  Church  of  Christ. 

6.  The  American  Branch  Alliance  shall  also  elect 
its  quota  of  delegates  from  its  own  number  or  else- 
where, but  in  equal  numbers  as  far  as  practicable  from 
each  denomination,  to  attend  the  meetings  of  the 
World's  Alliance  whenever  called.  Each  Denomina- 
tional Alliance  may  elect  as  many  more  if  it  see  fit, 
for  the  same  purpose,  who  shall  together  represent  this 
body  in  the  "World's  Alliance  and  possess  the  like 
powers. 

7.  If  the  highest  judicatory  of  any  denomination 
is  unwilling  to  elect  delegates  to  this  National  Alliance, 
and  a  considerable  portion  of  it  be  favorably  disposed  ; 
that  portion  may  designate  or  elect  the  quota,  to  which 
the  denomination  would  be  entitled ;  and  if  this  is  not 
done,  the  Executive  Committee  of  the  National  Branch 
may  select  prominent  individuals  of  the  same  denomi- 
nation to  rei^resent  it. 

8.  The  officers  of  this  National  Alliance  shall  be  a 
President,  Y ice-President,  Corresponding  and  Record- 
ing Secretaries,  and  a  Treasurer. 

9.  The  business  of  this  Alliance  shall  be  conducted 
by  the  Executive  officers,  including  the  Yice-Presidents, 
together  with,  as  near  as  possible,  one  member  from  each 
denomination  represented  in  the  Alliance,  who  together 
shall  constitute  the  Executive  Committee,  any  ten  of 
whom  shall  form  a  quorum  to  transact  business  when 
regularly  convened.  All  the  oilicers  and  other  meinbei"S 
of  the  Executive  Committee  shall  be  elected  annually 


MODIFIED  PLAN  PROPOSED. 


239 


by  the  Alliance,  shall  be  accountable  to  it,  and  subject 
to  its  instructions,  and  shall  hold  their  places  until  the 
election  of  their  successors.  The  members  of  this  Com- 
mittee are  emj^owered  to  fill  their  own  vacancies  ;  and 
shall  meet  by  the  appointment  of  the  Society,  or  on 
their  own  adjournment,  or  at  the  call  of  the  President, 
by  the  request  or  with  the  consent  of  any  five  members 
of  the  Committee ;  provided,  in  the  case  of  every  special 
meeting,  due  notice  of  ten  days  shall  be  given  by  letter 
through  the  mail  to  each  member. 

III. 

Pkimaey  Bkaxches  ;  either  Denominational^  as  in 
the  United  States  of  Amenca ;  or  Local  and  Voluntary, 
if  any  are  organized,  auxihary  to  the  National  Alliance 
of  any  Foreign  nation. 

1.  The  American  Primary  Branches  are  the  existing 
highest  ecclesiastical  Bodies  of  the  several  associated 
denominations,  each  acting  according  to  its  own  rules 
and  organization,  on  the  business  of  the  Alliance. 

2.  Any  Evangelical  Denomination  of  our  land  may 
become  connected  with  this  American  Alliance,  by  its 
highest  judicatory  or  representative  body  passing  a  reso- 
lution, approving  the  Designs,  the  Doctrinal  Basis,  and 
Constitution  of  the  Alliance,  and  l)y  sending  their  quota 
of  delegates  to  the  meeting  of  the  body. 

3.  No  delegate  elect  shall  take  his  seat,  as  a  member, 
at  any  meeting  of  a  National  Alliance,  nntil  he  has  first 
subscribed  the  same  declaration  embraced  in  the  above 
resolution. 

4.  Should  any  Denomination  become  dissatisfied  with 


240 


FRATERNAL  APPEAL. 


the  influence  of  the  Alliance,  it  may  at  any  time 
•withdraw  from  the  connection,  by  a  vote  of  its  highest 
judicatory. 

5.  The  stated  duties  of  these  highest  judicatories,  as 
Denominational  Primary  Branches  of  the  Alliance, 
shall  be : 

(1.)  To  elect  delegates  to  attend  the  annual  meetings 
of  the  American  Branch  of  the  Alliance. 

(2.)  To  discuss'  and  attend  to  the  various  items  of 
business  brought  before  them,  according  to  their  own 
rules ;  and  when,  in  their  judgment,  any  proposed 
measure  or  interest  of  rehgion  can  be  better  advanced 
by  concerted  influence,  counsel,  or  action  of  several  de- 
nominations, to  instruct  their  delegates  to  propose  it  to 
the  next  IS^ational  Alliance  for  their  consideration  and 
action. 

(3.)  To  receive  the  reports  of  their  delegates  to  the 
last  ]SI"ational  and  the  last  "World's  Alliance,  on  the 
Transactions  and  recommendations  of  said  bodies,  and 
to  take  action  on  them. 

Concluding,  Miscellaneous  Observation?,  on  the  rela- 
tive advantages  of  the  Voluntary  and  Denominational 
modes  of  action,  in  the  American  Branch  of  the 
Alliance. 

1.  By  the  introduction  of  Denominational  Branches, 
All  portions  of  tlic  entire  clinrcli  of  our  land  will  bo 
reached.  The  highest  judicatory  or  associated  body  of 
each  church,  represents  or  comprises  all  the  inferior 
divisions  and  sub  divisions  belonging  to  it,  and  thus 
reaches  every  member  of  the  entire  denomination. 


MODIFIED  PLAN"  PROrOSED. 


241 


Thus,  for  example,  resolutions  proposed  by  a  General 
Assembly,  or  General  Synod  or  Convention,  are  brought 
before  all  the  inferior  Judicatories  belonging;  to  it,  and 
are  thus  presented  to  the  notice  of  every  member  of  the 
denomination.  TVhilst  the  present  merely  voluntary 
Associations  reach  officially  the  members  of  the  Alliance 
constituting  them,  and  a  few  judicatories  by  the  instru- 
mentality of  some  active  members ;  probably  not  one- 
tenth  of  those  judicatories  contained  in  the  church  are 
officially  affected  by  them.  Thus  these  measures  may 
officially  reach  20,000  to  50,000  pei*sons  ;  but  the  adojv 
tion  of  the  denominational  system,  regularly  brings  the 
subjects,  projiosed  by  the  Alliance,  to  the  church  mem- 
bers of  all  the  confederated  denominations  in  the  land, 
amounting  to  several  millions ! 

2.  The  Yoluntary  method,  by  giving  a  vote  to  all 
members,  wvaj  become  unsafe.  If  the  American  Na- 
tional Branch  meets  in  cities  or  other  regions,  in  which 
measures  of  doubtful  propriety  should  for  the  time 
generally  be  in  favor,  they  could  out-vote  those  coming 
from  a  distance,  who  advocate  the  more  correct  views 
of  the  large  majority  of  the  church  throughout  the 
land. 

3.  It  may  also  niore  easily  introduce  some  undesir- 
able and  troublesome  individual-;,  who  though  talented, 
may  be  erratic  and  injudicious. 

4.  Tliere  will  be  no' selection  of  the  better  men,  who 
enjoy  the  special  confidence  of  their  own  denomination. 

5.  Large  portions  of  tlie  cliurches  would  not  be  repre- 
sented at  all ;  while  larger  cities  where  the  Alliance 
meets,  would  Ite  over-represented. 

1 1 


242 


FRATERNAL  ArPEAL. 


G.  It  will  not  be  a  union  (even  advisory)  of  tlie  entire 
different  denominations,  but  of  a  few  persons  ont  of 
some  denominations. 

7.  Thus  tbe  Alliance  may  eventually  fall  mainly  in- 
to the  hands  of  some  leading  denomination?,  and  its 
immense  moral  influence  possibly  bs  wielded  to  the  dis- 
advantage of  minor  denominations.  But  with  a  denomi- 
national senatorial  representation  of  an  equal  number 
of  delegates  from  each  denomination,  and  the  power 
vested  in  each  denomination  to  withdraw  from  the 
Alliance  by  a  simple  vote  of  its  own  highest  judicatory, 
the  danger  of  injustice  to  minor  denominations  almost 
entirely  disappears. 

8.  The  mere  Yoluntary  organization  would,  for  our 
country,  probably  fail  to  concentrate  sufficient  influence, 
in  order  to  unite  the  entire  moral  power  and  personal 
co-operation  of  the  great  body  of  all  evangelical  deno- 
minations, in  resisting  the  encroachments  of  Romanism 
and  Infidelity,  as  well  as  spreading  the  gospel  through- 
out the  earth. 

9.  The  mere  voluntai-y  form  of  the  Alliance  loaves 
the  denominational  organizations  and  sectarian  arrange- 
ments almost  tinmitigated,  and  sectionr.l  rivalry  but 
little  diminished  ;  but  the  plan  of  delegates  establishes  ^ 
such  intei'-denominational  arrangements  as  remove  this  -i 
in  a  great  measure.  These  Arrangements  should  in- 
clude a  canon  of 

{a)  Missionary  non-interference. 
(J)  Free  sacramental  communion,  which  diminishes 
congregational  rivalry. 

(c)  The  use  of  the  Bible  more  and  of  sectarian  litera- 


PROPOSED  MODIFIED  PLAN. 


243 


tui'e  less,  which  discountenances  rivab-y  of  theologians. 
(d)  Ministerial  comnumion  and  recognition, 
{e)  Profession  of  the  fundamental  Creed  without  sec- 
tarian pecularities,  promotes  liberality  of  doctrinal 
views  and  feelings. 

10.  The  present  arrangement  of  mere  voluntary 
Alliances,  does  really  not  effect  an  actual  union  of  the 
whole  Christian  church.  Only  volunteer  individual 
members  of  the  different  denominations  are  thus 
united  ;  whilst  the  great  mass  of  members  of  different 
denominatioTis  arc  not  brought  into  any  stated  union. 

But  if  tlie  union  in  its  principle  is  denoyninational, 
then  the  delegates,  being  elected  by  the  entire  chm'ch, 
either  directly  or  indirectly,  the  whole  church  is  em- 
braced in  this  union,  and  its  powers  being  only  Advi- 
sory, there  will  be  no  probability  of  its  usurping  any 
dangerous  authority. 


Witli  t!ie>e  renuirks  we  again  send  forth  this  vohune, 
enlarged  and  improved  with  the  experience  and  obser- 
vations of  the  third  of  a  century,  into  the  field  of  the 
world,  to  scatter  the  seed  of  truth  among  a?iothcr  genera- 
tion ;  not  doubting  that  the  divine  Saviour  has  yet  a 
mission  for  it  to  perform,  and  praying,  tliat  in  the  day 
of  eternity  it  may  appear  tliat  it  was  eminently  iiscful 
in  elevating  and  blessing  the  church  and  tlie  world,  and 
thus  in  advancing  the  glory  of  Him,  who  so  loved  the 
world,  that  lie  gave  Ilis  only-begotten  Son,  that  who- 
soevor  belicvetli  in  lliin  sliouM  not  jx-risli.  l)nt  have 
t'vorhisting  life. 


appendix: 


WITNESSES  FOR  THE  UNITY 

OF  THE 

SAVIOUR'S  BODY. 


From  the  American  Quarterly  Register,  edited  by  Rev.  Prof.  B.  B.  Ed- 
wards, of  the  Theol.  Seminary,  Andover,  aiid  Rev.  Dr.  Cogswell,  Secre- 
tary of  American  Education  Society.  ~ 

Appeal  to  the  Amerimn  Churches,  with  a  Plan  for  Catholic  Union. 
By  S.  S.  Schmvckcr,  J). D.,  Professor  in  the  Thedogical  Seminary  of 
the  General  Synod  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  Gettysburg,  Pa.  I'p.  100. 

This  Appeal  was  first  published  in  the  eleventh  and  twelfth 
volumes  of  the  American  Biblical  Repository.  We  read  the  whole 
discussion  at  the  time  when  it  came  out.  We  were  then  struck 
with  its  candor,  honesty,  thorough  aud  learned  research,  and 
eminently  catholic  and  disinterested  spirit.  In  further  consid- 
eration of  it,  and  also  by  conversation  with  the  excellent  author, 
we  cannot  but  hope  that  it  will  receive  the  serious  attention  of 
all  our  evangelical  churches,  and  especially  of  all  ministers  of 
the  gospel.  The  author  lias  not  so  much  to  fear  from  disap- 
proval of  his  plan,  as  from  indifference  or  inattei.tion  to  it.  The 
principal  features  arc  the  following  : — the  several  Christian  de- 
nominations shall  retain  each  its  own  present  ecclesiastical 
organization,  government,  discipline,  and  mode  of  worship ; 
let  each  of  the  confederated  denominations  formally  rcs(jlve  for 
itself,  not  to  discipline  any  member  or  minister,  for  holding  a 
doctrine  believed  by  any  other  denomination  whose  Christian 
character  they  acknowledge,  provided  his  deportment  be  unex- 
ceptionable, and  he  conform  to  the  rules  of  government,  discip- 


*  See  Introduction,  p.  14. 

(^•14) 


UNITY  OF  THE  SAVIOUR'S  BODY. 


245 


line,  and  worship  adopted  by  said  denomination  ;  let  a  creed 
be  adopted  including  only  the  doctrines  held  in  common  by  all 
the  orthodox  Christian  denominations,  to  be  termed  the  Apos- 
tolic Protestant  Confession,  and  let  this  same  creed  be  used  by 
all  denominations  as  the  terms  of  sacramental,  ecclesiastical, 
and  ministerial  communion  ;  there  should  be  free  sacramental, 
ecclesiastical,  and  ministerial  communion  among  the  confeder- 
ated churches ;  in  all  matters  not  relating  to  the  government, 
discipline,  and  forms  of  worship  of  individual  churches,  but 
pertaining  to  the  common  cause  of  Christianity,  let  the  princi- 
ple of  co-operation,  regardless  of  sect,  be  adopted,  so  far  as  the 
nature  of  the  case  will  admit,  and  as  fast  as  the  views  of  the 
parties  will  allow ;  the  Bible  should,  as  much  as  possiI)le,  be 
made  the  text-book  in  all  religious  and  theological  instruction  ; 
and  missionaries  going  into  foreign  lands  ought  to  use  and  pro- 
fess no  other  than  this  common  creed,  the  Apostolic  Protestant 
Confession,  and  connect  with  it  whatever  form  of  church  gov- 
ernment and  mode  of  worship  they  prefer. 


From  the  Boston  Recorder. 
This  whole  work  wc  most  earnestly  commend  to  the  consider- 
ation of  all  Christians,  and  especially  of  all  Christian  ministers. 
It  is  written  in  an  enlarged  and  truly  brotherly  spirit.  It  is 
characterized  by  sound  practical  sense,  extensive  knowledge  of 
church  history,  and  if  it  does  nothing  to  promote  the  great 
object  of  Christian  unity,  it  will  not  be  for  the  want  of  an  ex- 
cellent spirit  and  of  incontrovertible  arguments. 


From  the  Lutlicrun  Observer,  edited  by  tlic  Rev.  Dr.  B.  Kurt;;,  Baltimore. 

The  careful  perusal  of  this  work  lias  aflbrded  us  a  high  degree 
of  enjoyment,  and  it  is  calculated,  if  it  receive  that  respectful 
and  impartial  examination  from  the  churches  of  our  country, 
wliicli  it  eminently  merits,  to  exert  an  influence  for  good,  which 
will  he  felt  ill  heathen  countries  as  well  as  throughout  our  whole 
land,  in  the  present  and  future  generations. 

In  the  proposition  and  elucidation  of  the  remedy  for  llic  evils 
of  division  in  (lie  church  of  flod,  and  osprcially  in  liic  cxrogi- 


246  WITNESSES  FOR  THE  UNITY 


tation  of  a  plan  for  the  restoration  of  catholic  union  on  apos- 
tolic principles,  we  think  the  learned  author  has  mainly  exhib- 
ited his  strength.  This  part  of  the  book,  especially,  bears  the 
marks  of  profound  thought,  close  investigation,  extensive  obser- 
vation, and  of  a  catholicity  of  spirit  and  deep  and  all-pcrvading 
solicitude  for  the  prosperity  of  Zion,  ivliich  reflects  most  credit- 
ably upon  his  heart.  The  "  Apostolic  Protestant  Confession," 
embracing  only  the  fundamentals  of  inspired  truth,  -which  are 
believed  by  all  the  orthodox  churches  of  Protestant  Christen- 
dom, is  evidently  the  work  of  great  care  and  of  a  clear  and 
judicious  mind. 

If  the  sentiments  advanced  in  this  '•  Ap^jeal are  fairly  tested, 
not  by  ecclesiastical  standards  which  are  the  work  of  uninspired, 
though  good  men,  but  by  "  the  law  and  the  testimony,''  that  is, 
by  the  unerring  rule  of  God's  holy  word,  they  cannot  fail  to 
command  respect  and  win  advocates ;  and  if  the  Protestant 
churches  should  be  organized,  and  carry  on  their  operations  on 
the  principles  developed  in  the  "Appeal,"'  there  can  be  no  doubt 
that  they  would  approximate  much  nearer  to  the  apostolic  church 
than  they  now  do ;  that  they  could  act  much  more  efficiently 
and  harmoniously  in  advancing  the  triumphs  of  the  Cross  in  the 
heathen  and  the  papal  world ;  and  that  those  blissful  times 
would  again  airive,  when  surrounding  observers  would  be  com- 
pelled to  exclaim,  "  Sec  how  these  Christians  love  one  another  !" 

"  Schmucker's  Appeal  "  should  be  in  every  family  in  our  coun- 
try ;  ministers  of  the  gospel  and  church-officers  especially,  with 
out  regard  to  sect  or  creed,  should  read  it  with  attention  and 
prayer;  editors  of  religious  papers  should  examine  it  and  pub- 
lish extracts  from  it,  and  the  whole  church  should  be  brought 
xmder  the  catholicising  influence  of  its  evangelic  ])rinciples,  and 
then;  by  the  blessing  of  God,  we  might  confident!}'  look  for  the 
happiest  efi"ects  in  the  church  universal,  and  for  the  rapid  pro- 
gress of  the  gospel  among  infidels  and  ])agans,  at  home  and 
abroad. 


The  annexed  correspondence  the  author  regards  as  highly 
important  and  'interesting  to  every  friend  of  Christian  union. 


OF  THE  saviour's  BODY. 


247 


It  shows  that  many  of  the  noblest  heads  and  hearts  in  our  land 
are  deeply  impressed  with  the  necessity  of  adopting  some  mea- 
sures to  heal  the  greit  fchism"  the  many-headed  schism  of  the 
Protestant  church  ;  -which  threatens,  unless  soon  an  ested  by  the 
good  Spirit  of  our  God,  to  make  the  entire  church  throughout 
our  favored  land  present  one  unintcrrujited  field  of  intestine 
conflict.  It  also  proves  that  these  writers,  -who  are  confessedly 
among  the  most  respected,  influential,  and  enlightened  divines 
of  the  American  churches,  regard  the  plan  of  union  proposed 
in  the  Plea,  as  correct  in  principle,  and  mainly  feasible  in  prac- 
tice. Let  Zion's  friends  then  take  courage ;  let  the  eyes  that 
have  wept,  and  the  hearts  that  have  ached  over  her  desolation, 
be  comforted.  Perhaps  Zion's  King  will  himself  soon  appear 
for  her  deliverance,  and  give  her  a  brighter  day,  and  then, 
though  weeping  has  endured  for  the  night,  joy  will  come  in 
the  morning  !  These  recommendations,  it  will  be  observed,  are 
from  the  Congregational,  the  Lutheran,  the  German  Reformed, 
the  Presbyterian,  the  Dutch  Reformed,  the  Baptist,  tiie  Episcopa- 
lian, and  Associate  Reformed  churches.  The  writer  had  also  the 
promise  of  one  from  a  ilelhodist  brother,  but  it  had  not  arrived 
at  the  time  this  manuscript  was  sent  to  the  printer.  It  may  be 
proper  to  mention,  that  in  a  circular  inviting  signatures  and 
letters,  the  recommendations  of  Drs.  Jcnks,  Knox,  and  Krauth 
were  contained.  Hence  the  occasional  allusion  to  them  in  the 
letters. 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  Dr.  Knox,  Pastor  of  the  Reformed 
Dutch  Church,  New  York. 

Rev.  .vnd  Dkau  RnoTiiEn, — I  have  read  your  "  Appeal  to  the 
Churches,"  with  care  and  witli  deep  interest.  I  regard  it  as 
able,  well  written,  and  breathing  throughout  the  right  spirit  and 
temper-:-and  altogether  calculated  to  leave  a  deep  impressii)n 
on  the  Christian  mind.  The  scriptural  doctrines  and  examples 
on  the  aulyect  of  unity,  and  the  evils  of  division,  appear  to  me 
to  be  exhibited  in  a  manner  singularly  fi  lieitoiis.  There  is  no 
part  of  the  work  but  will  repay  a  perusal,  and  that  does  not 
iTirrit  fonsii'crati.in     A  (''w  tilings  have  struck  iny  niintl  as 


248  WITNESSES  FOR  THE  UNITY 


doubtful,  -which,  however,  I  do  not  wish  now  to  discuss,  nor  is 
it  needful  even  to  specify,  unless,  perhaps,  by  way  of  sample — 
the  independent  (Congregational)  tendencies  of  the  views  con- 
tained in  more  than  a  single  place ;  the  virtual  denial  of  any 
authorized  courts  of  appeal,  in  the  New  Testament,  etc.  I  re- 
joice that  the  matter  has  in  so  concise  and  clear  a  form,  and  to 
so  wide  an  extent  been  placed  before  the  Christian  community, 
and  believe  that  it  will  do  good.  The  jilan  for  remedying  the 
evils  which  have  grown  up,  and  spread,  and  gathered  strength 
during  the  lapse  of  ages,  contains  much  sound  and  well  digested 
thought,  and  may  perhaps  yet  form  the  basis  of  the  verj'  results 
which  it  is  intended  to  subserve.  Let  able  men,  possessing 
the  confidence  of  their  respective  sects — men  bajitized  with  the 
spirit  of  holiness,  come  together  in  the  spirit  of  Christ,  and 
■with  great  and  prayerful  deliberation,  agree  upon  terms  of  union 
— and  ihey  will  command  an  attention  and  a  confidence  before 
which  the  mere  prejudice  of  sect  will  quail — and  they  will  have 
efficient  advocates  in  every  church  judicatory,  and  the  whole 
subject  be  revolved,  until  it  gets  possession  of  the  mass  of  the 
Christian  mind — and  the  church  will  stand  forth  in  her  glory 
and  power. 

With  very  affectionate  respect  and  esteem, 

Your  friend  and  brother, 
Rev.  S.  S.  Schmucker,  D.  D.  John  Knox. 


The  undersigned  have  read  with  pleasure  the  little  volume  of 
Dr.  Schmuckcr,  entitled  an  "  Appeal  to  the  American  Churches, 
with  a  plan  of  Christian  Union  on  Apostolic  Princi])lcs."  The 
subject  of  wliich  the  author  treats  is  one  which  was  dear  to  the 
Saviour's  heart,  as  it  must  also  be  to  all  liis  disciples ;  the  man- 
ner in  which  it  is  discussed  appears  to  us  appropriate  and  judi- 
cious;  and  without  pledging  ourselves  for  every  sentiment  it 
contains,  we  regard  the  general  principles  of  the  Appeal  as 
scriptural  and  correct,  and  the  plan  of  union  as  highly  interest- 
ing and  judicious.  AVe  doubt  not  tliat  the  ])ublioation  will 
exert  a  salutary  influence  on  tlic  prosj^crity  of  the  Kcdccmer'a 


OF  THE  saviour's  BODY. 


249 


kingdom,  and  cheerfully  commend  it  to  the  serious  perusal  of 
tlie  Christian  community. 

"WrLLi.ui  Jenks,  D.  D., 
Pastor  of  the  Green  st.  Church,  Boston,  and  Editor  of 
Comprehensive  Commentary. 

Absalom  Peteks,  D.  D., 

ISdilor  of  the  American  Biblical  Sejxisitory,  2\\  T. 
Wm.  Patton,  D.  D., 

Pastor  of  Sprinff  tit.  Church,  N.  T. 
Rev.  F.  a.  Rauch,  D.  D., 
{Of  the  Ger.  Bef.  Church),  President  of  Marshall  CollcffC. 

Thos.  Skika-er.  D.  D., 

Pastor  of  Mercer  St.  Church,  N.  T.  {Pr:sbytei'ian.) 

CuAS.  F.  Porter, 

Pastor  of  2d  Avenue  {Presbyterian)  Church,  S.  T. 
Ret.  Henry  White,  D.  D., 

Prof,  of  T/ieol.  in  the  Tlicol.  Seminary,  N.  Y. 
Wm.  D.  Stuoebel, 

Pastor  of  Eiifjlish  Lutheran  Church,  N.  T. 
Rev.  Frederick  Schmidt  {Lutheran), 
Prof,  of  Oer.  Lit.  in  Lafayette  Colleyc,  and  Editor  of  the  Kirchcnzeitung. 


Tlie  plan  of  union  proposed  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Schmucker, 
which  was  first  communicated  to  the  public  through  the  pages 
of  the  Biblical  Repository,  has  been  attentively  considered  by 
me,  and  I  do  not  hesitate  to  say,  after  a  careful  examination  of 
its  principles,  that  it  accords  in  my  judgment  with  the  genius 
of  our  holy  religion,  as  taught  in  the  pages  of  the  New  Testa- 
ment. I  agree  with  him  in  the  opinion  that  union  is  practicable, 
that  it  ought  to  take  place,  and  that  the  accomplishment  of  it 
should  be  the  sincere;  aim  of  all  Mho  love  the  Saviour,  in  our 
different  religious  denominations  ;  because  it  will  remove  many 
heavy  evils  under  which  tlic  church  now  labors,  facilitate  the 
difTusioii  of  religion,  and  arm  tlie  church  with  power  which  will 
render  it  speedily  triumphant  to  the  ends  of  the  earth.  The 
union  advocated  is  apostolical,  sucli  as  existed  in  the  days  of 
11- 


250  WITNESSES  FOR  THE  UNITY 


the  heralds  of  the  Gospel,  aud  which,  as  much  as  anything  else, 
imparted  poorer  to  the  preached  word.  Union  then  was  strength, 
and  now,  if  restored,  would  render  our  faith  irres  stible.  I  can 
scarcely  persuade  myself,  that  he  has  imbibed  the  spirit  of  Jesus 
Christ,  in  any  considerable  extent,  who  does  not  consider  it  a 
consummation  most  devoutly  to  be  desired,  and  sincerely  prayed 
for.  The  final  prayers  of  the  Saviour  on  earth  had  reference  to 
this  blessed  union:  "Neither  pray  I  for  them  alone;  but  for 
them  also  which  shall  believe  on  me  through  their  word :  that 
they  may  all  be  one  ;  as  thou,  Father,  art  in  me,  and  I  in  thee, 
that  they  also  may  be  one  in  us  :  that  the  world  may  believe 
that  thou  hast  sent  me." 

The  i^lan  of  Dr.  Sclimucker  meets  my  approbation  more  fully 
than  any  other  that  has  come  to  my  knowledge,  because  it  does 
not  restrict  itself  to  arguments  for  union,  and  eloquent  declama- 
tion on  the  beauties  of  a  harmoaizing  church,  whilst  the  way 
of  bringing  it  about  was  left  untouched.  He  has  answered  the 
question  in  a  manner  highly  creditable  to  him  as  a  theologian 
and  a  Christian.  IIow  is  this  to  be  elTected  ?  The  mode  of  ac- 
complishing it  is  intelligible,  by  no  means  comi)licated,  it  secures 
all  vital  truth,  guards  against  extensive  innovation  in  existing 
institutions,  does  not  run  counter  to  that  attachment  to  the 
formularies  of  government  and  discijjline  in  any  church  to  which 
we  may  belong,  which  is  so  natural,  and  places  the  united  church 
on  a  better  basis  to  maintain  internal  peace,  and  to  avoid  dan- 
gerous dissensions,  tlian  has  ever  yet  existed. 

With  these  views,  I  anxiously  wish  that  the  cluirch  of  Jesus 
Christ  in  this  country  would  take  into  most  serious  considera- 
tion the  appeal  which  has  been  addressed  to  the;n  on  this  sub- 
ject. May  the  day  not  be  distant  when  our  eyes  shall  behold  a 
convention  of  Christian  divines  deliberating  in  the  spirit  of  the 
Master,  on  this  great  subject,  and  bringing  forth  their  solemn 
decision  in  favor  of  union  between  Christian  denominations, 
and  of  concentrated  action  in  the  great  objects  of  the  Clirisliau 
enterprise  !  C.  P.  Krauth,  D.  D., 

Prc.iideiil  of  Peiuixylvania  College,  (jUtyaburj. 

Gettysbuuo,  Dc.  17,  1838. 


OF  THE  saviour's  BODY. 


We,  the  undersigned,  coincide  in  tbe  above  opinion  of  Dr. 
Krauth. 

Rev.  Eknest  L.  Hazelius,  D.  D., 
Principal  of  Tkeol.  ikrninary,  Lcxintjton,  South  Carolina. 
Rev.  Ge  >.  B.  Mjt.ler,  D.  D., 

Principal  of  Sariwick  Seminary,  New  Tm'k. 

J.  G.  SCIIMUCKER,  D.  D., 
Late  Pastor  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  York,  Pa. 

Levi  Sternberg,  A.  M., 
Assistant  Professor  in  Hartwick  Seminary,  Cooperstown,  N.  Y. 
Bekj.  Keller, 
President  of  the  Euanrj.  Lutheran  Synod  of  West  Pennsylvania. 
Augustus  Lochman,  A.  M., 

Pastor  of  First  Lut/wran  Church,  York,  Pa. 
Wm.  M.  Reynolds,  A.  M., 
Prof,  of  the  Latin  Language  and  Lit.,  Pennsylvania  College. 
Henlt  T.  Smith, 
Prof,  of  the  French  and  Gcr.  Lan.  and  Lit.,  in  Penn.  College. 


From  the  Rev.  Pharcellus  Church,  author  of  "  Religious  Di.^.sensions  ; 
their  Cause  and  Cure,"  a  prize  essay,  and  Pastor  of  the  First  Baptist 
Church,  Rochester,  N.  Y. 

The  subscriber,  liaving  perused  the  able  Appeal  of  Dr. 
Schmucker  on  the  subj  ct  of  Christian  union,  takes  pleasure  in 
saj'ing,  that  whatever  diversities  of  opinion  nup;ht  exist  as  to 
the  i)racticability  of  Ills  plan  in  the  ])rescnt  state  of  evanfjelical 
Christians,  all,  he  thinks,  will  agree  in  regarding  its  general  cir- 
culation among  the  American  churches,  as  highly  favorable  to 
the  noble  object  for  which  it  was  written. 


From  Rev.  Dr.  Stephen  JI.  Tyiip;,  Rc^'tor  of  tlie  (ProU'stant  Kpiscopal) 
•  "  LllllPfB  OT  the  Epiphuiiy. 

PiJiLADEH'iiiA,  Fell.  G,  1839. 
I  have  read  witli  much  satisfaction  and  interest,  the  Ajjpeal 
of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Schmucker  to  the  American  churches.  The 
subject  of  it  has  long  engaged  niy  attention.    The  accomplish- 


252 


WITNESSES  FOR  THE  UNITY 


ment  of  its  great  object  is  very  desirable  and  important  in  my 
view.  I  cannot  express  an  entire  coincidence  of  judgment  in 
all  the  details  of  the  Appeal  and  subjoined  propositions  ;  but  I 
regard  the  work,  as  a  whole,  as  likely  to  be  impressive  and  use- 
ful, and  as  a  discussion  of  the  great  subject  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  is  likely  to  bring  a  good  result.  Its  general  i^rinciplcs 
are  faultless,  and  its  spirit  is  that  of  Christianity  itself  I  shall 
rejoice  if  this  discussion  of  the  subject  of  Christian  union  shall 
lead  us,  under  our  Redeemer's  blessing,  to  some  practical  issue 
which  will  be  generally  satisfactory. 


From  Rev.  Profe.ssor  Elton  (of  the  Baptist  Church),  Brown  University, 
Providence,  Rholc  Island. 

Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, — I  have  read  your  "Appeal  to  the  Ameri- 
can Churches,  with  a  plan  of  Christian  Union  on  Apostolic  Prin- 
ciples," with  no  ordinary  degree  of  interest.  You  have  taken 
a  comprehensive  and  enlightened  view  of  the  subject,  and  dis- 
cussed it  throughout  in  a  spirit  of  piety  and  moderation.  I 
cheerfully  concur  in  the  testimonial  of  Dr.  Jenks. 

I  hope  that  your  work  may  have  so  ready  a  sale,  that  you 
may  soon  find  it  necessary  to  publish  a  third  edition,  when,  I 
presume  your  list  of  names  will  be  greatly  augmented.  I  have 
no  doubt  if  projDcr  measures  are  taken,  your  work  will  be  repub- 
lished in  England.  It  certainly  deserves  to  be  read  by  all 
Christians. 

"With  sentiments  of  cordial  esteem, 

I  remain  your  brother  in  Christ, 

Romeo  Elton. 

Rev.  S.  S.  Schmuckeh,  D.  D. 


From  the  Rev.  Dr.  Hill,  late  Pastor  2d  Presbyterian  Church,  Alexandria. 

Devr  Brotuer, — I  have  read  with  great  pleasure  your  "Ap- 
peal to  the  American  Oluirches,  with  a  plan  of  Catholic  union, 
upon  Scriptural  and  Apostolical  Principles."  It  is  seldom  I  have 
read  a  book  which  I  could  so  cordially  and  universally  approve 
of.    Tlicre  is  only  one  point  upon  which,  perhaps,  we  are  not 


OF  THE  saviour's  liODV. 


entirely  in  accordance.  You  seem  to  be  a  little  more  charitable 
in  some  instances,  and  more  confident  of  success,  than  I  have 
yet  arrived  at.  But  on  this  very  account,  you  have  the  manifest 
advantage  over  me,  for  I  acknowledge  myself  "  to  be  dull  of 
heart,  and  slow  to  believe  what  God  has  promised,  and  tchat  he  is 
both  wiUing  and  able  to  perform^ 

You  have  unquestionably  pointed  out  some,  or  most  of  the 
2)romincnt  causes  -which  have  impeded,  and  still  obstruct  the 
progress  of  the  gospel.  An  intelligent  reader  of  church  history 
will  be  forcibly  struck  with  the  great  difference  of  character, 
and  efficiency  of  effort  discoverable,  on  comparing  primitive 
Christians  with  those  of  modern  times.  You  have  happily 
brought  to  view  wherein  this  difference  consists — viz.,  the  ardent 
piety  and  simplicity  of  character ;  the  rigid  adherence  to  the 
directions  and  instructions  of  the  Bible  ;  the  freedom  from  all 
sectarian  and  selfish  motives  in  the  plans  of  operation,  which 
distinguished  the  primitive  disciples  of  Christ  from  the  ordi- 
nary class  of  Christians  in  our  day ;  these  should  make  them 
useful  monitors  and  severe  reprovers  of  our  sluggishness.  Christ 
Jesus  must  and  will  come  again,  to  act  as  a  refiner  and  purifier 
of  silver  among  his  churches.  But  who  may  abide  the  day  of 
his  coming  ? 

,  Go  on,  my  beloved  brother.  You  have  put  your  hand  to  the 
plough  ;  do  not  look  back  again.  I  hope  after  your  second  edi- 
tion is  sent  out,  you  will  devise  some  plan  for  calling  a  conven- 
tion of  the  zealous  and  devoted  ministers  of  different  denomina- 
tions to  assist  you  in  organizing  some  scheme  of  operation  to 
carry  your  plan  into  execution.  This  Appeal  will  touch  a  chord 
that  will  awaken  up  a  responding  vibration  in  many  a  pious 
soul,  and  plant  conviction  in  many  a  lukewarm  minister's  heart. 
May  God  prosper  you  in  your  truly  Christian  enterprise  ! 

"VV.M.  Hill. 


From  Rev.  Dr.  Pond,  Professor  of  Thcolofry,  B.inp;or. 

Deaii  Brotiieu, — I  have  received  and  read  your  "  Appeal  " 
with  deep  interest,  and  with  much  satisfaction.  I  cordially 
thank  you  for  it.    Decidedly  do  I  prefer  it  to  any  plan  of  eerie- 


254 


WITNESSES  FOR  THE  UNITY 


siastical  union  which  I  have  seen  proposed.  I  iind  little  or 
nothing  in  it  to  except  against,  but  much  to  approve.  It  is 
learned,  scriptural,  candid,  and  (substantially)  feasible.  I  hope 
you  will  publish  a  new  edition,  and  continue  to  urge  it  upon  the 
attention  of  the  difl'erent  bodies  of  Christians.  Anything  I  can 
do  to  aid  in  so  good  a  work.  I  shall  do  with  pleasure. 

Yours,  very  truly, 
Jamianj  31,  1839.  Ekoch  Pond. 


From  Rev.  Samuel  H.  Cos,  D.  D.,  Pastor  of  the  First  Prcsbj-tcrian 
Church,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Having  read  and  considered  the  "Appeal "  of  Dr.  Schmucker, 
and  having  long  viewed  its  object  with  great  interest,  I  cor- 
dially concur  in  the  attestation  of  Dr.  Knox  respecting  it. 

However  desirable  such  a  union  is,  it  has  been  regarded  by 
many  as  quite  impracticable,  iu  the  present  state  of  our  Amcii- 
can  Israel,  and  the  imperfections  of  the  tribes.  All  the  true 
church  invisible  are  virtually  one  in  principle,  and  they  arc  quite 
one  in  destiny,  and  in  beatitude  eternal.  In  heaven  shall  be 
accomplished  the  impetration  of  their  Saviour,  as  recorded  in 
the  seventeenth  of  John.  But  how  desirable  to  promote,  to  an- 
ticipate, even  by  small  degrees  of  ajiproximatiou — if  on  earth 
we  can  no  more — something  genuine  of  that  beatific  union,  such 
symbolically  and  such  essentially,  which  will  certainly  be  con- 
summated in  heaven  forever,  among  the  ransomed  of  the  Lamb ! 

The  cause  or  enterprise  proposed  by  Dr.  Schmucker,  to  say 
nothing  of  its  well  considered  scheme,  is  one  of  great  nobility, 
grandeur,  and  glory.  I  had,  were  I  in  his  place,  rather  fiiil  in 
it,  than  never  to  have  conceived  it,  or  never  to  have  attempted 
it.  It  is  a  good  sign  of  the  times,  and  of  the  probable  return 
to  us  of  catholic  Christianity,  that  such  a  scheme  meets  with 
favor,  and  is  entertained  by  many.  O  !  if  we  had  more  piety, 
all  of  us,  such  a  proposal  would  be  appreciated  with  a  deeper, 
Avider,  livelier,  and  more  cordial  response  ! 

We  have  all  one  Saviour  ouly,  one  gospel,  one  lieavcn,  who  are 
genuine  Christians  !  Christ  has  but  one  bride.  His  people  are 
culled  in  one  hope  of  thnr  ciUing  :  and  they  are  in  fact  more 


OF  THE  saviour's  dodv. 


255 


alike  than  they  suppose.  I  am  sure  of  it,  and  exult  in  it.  Blessed 
Saviour !  let  it  be  discerned  universally,  that  the  world  may  know 
that  the  Father  hath  sent  thee  ! 


From  the  Rev.  James  E.  Welch  (of  the  Baptist  Church),  Burlington, 
N.  J.,  Agent  of  the  American  Sunday-School  Union. 

BuKLixGTON,  K  J.,  Jan.  25,  1S39. 

My  Dear  Brother, — I  have  read  your  "  Appeal  to  the  Ameri- 
can churc'if's,"  with  the  deepest  interest,  and  hope  it  may  do 
much  good ;  and  to  the  twelve  articles  of  the  Apostolic  Pro- 
testant Confession  I  can  heartily  subscribe,  because  I  can  see 
nothing  in  them  to  which  any  orthodox  Christian  need  object ; 
especially,  as  you  allow  "  to  each  denomination  or  branch  of  the 
Christian  church,  the  right  to  its  own  organization,  or  to  alter 
or  amend  it  at  option,  leaving  everything  relative  to  government, 
discipline,  and  worship,  to  be  nranaged  by  each  denomination 
according  to  its  own  v'ews,  for  the  time  being." 

If  all  who  "  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity  and  in 
truth,"  would  converse  and  write  more  frequently  and  freely 
upon  those  fundamental  doctrines  of  our  common  Christianity 
in  which  we  all  agree,  and  less  about  minor  points  of  dift'ercnce, 
no  doubt  we  should  love  each  other  more,  and  the  •'  mouths  of 
gainsayers  "'  have  less  to  tell  of  our  '•  biting  and  devouring  one 
another."  Success  to  every  effort  that  seeks  the  "  peace  of  Jeru- 
salem ;"  and  for  my  brethren  and  companions'  sake  I  will  now 
Bay,  Peace  be  within  thy  walls,  and  prosperity  within  thy  palaces. 

Rev.  S.  S.  Schmucker,  D.  D. 


From  Uic  Ilev.  Dr.  Thoiim.s  Snill,  I'astor  of  tlie  Church  of  Christ,  iu 
TTOrtir'Brookfield,  Mass. 

Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, — A  copy  of  your  Ajjpeal,"  etc.,  has 
reached  me.  I  have  read  it  with  delilioration,  and  am  more 
highly  gr;itilicd  with  the  scntiinents  and  plan  than  I  anticipated, 
and  would  rejoice  to  witness  such  a  union  as  you  contemplate. 
Though  I  doubt  vcrj'  much  the  success  of  the  plan,  the  best, 
perhnps,  that  can  be  devised,  yet  I  think  it  very  desirable  that 


256 


\YITx\EsSES  FOR  THE  UNITY 


a  faitliful  experiment  be  made.  The  Lord  may  incline  the 
hearts  of  Christians  and  Christian  ministers  to  yield  so  far  as 
the  proposed  union  requires.  I  heartily  coincide  with  the  re- 
commendation of  Dr.  Jenks. 


From  Rev.  Dr.  Porter,  CatskiU,  N.  Y. 

Dear  Sik, — I  received  and  read  with  some  attention,  your 
"  Appeal  to  the  American  churches,"  and  am  prepared  to  say, 
that  my  views  accord  with  yours  on  the  subject  of  catholic 
union,  generally,  and  I  know  not  but  in  every  particular.  Drs. 
Jenks  and  Krauth  have  expressed  my  opinion  as  fully  and 
clearly  as  I  could  do  it  myself.  I  rejoice  that  you  have  turned 
your  attention  to  this  very  important  subject,  and  you  have  my 
best  wishes  that  the  result  of  your  labors  may  be  the  bringing 
about  of  greater  harmony  among  the  churches  in  this  coimtry 
than  at  2)resent  exists. 

Divisions  among  Christians,  on  minor  jjoints,  or  non-essentials, 
since  the  reformation,  have  given  great  occasion  to  the  enemy 
to  blaspheme.  It  appears  to  me  to  be  high  time  to  go  back  to 
the  primitive  age,  when  the  disciples  were  of  one  heart,  and 
strove  together  for  the  furtherance  of  the  gospel.  I  wish  there 
might  be  held,  somewhere  in  this  country,  a  meeting  of  devoted, 
sensible  men,  to  counsel,  aud  advise,  and  pray  over  this  subject, 
in  accordance  with  what  you  have  intimated.  Allow  me  to  ask, 
my  dear  sir,  whether  you  might  not,  as  you  have  made  a  begin- 
ning, tuke  the  lead  in  this  matter  ? 

So  far  as  my  little  influence  may  extend,  I  most  cheerfully 
volunteer  it  to  the  cause  which  has  occupied  your  attention,  and 
lies  near  your  heart. 

With  respect  and  esteem,  I  subscribe  myself. 

Yours,  in  the  faith  and  fellowship  of  the  gospel, 

Datid  Porter. 

Rev.  S.  S.  Scieiucker,  D.  D. 


From  Rev.  Asa  Turner,  Pastor  of  the  Coiigrcs;ilii)niil  Cluircli,  Ilmmiuk, 
Iowa  Territory. 

Rev.  ANT)  Dear  Fiu, — T  road  your '' .\pponl "  a  few  weeks 


OF  THE  saviour's  BODY. 


257 


since;  your  circular  night  before  last.  The  first  thing  I  did 
after  a  protracted  and  dangerous  illness,  was  to  read  your  "Ap- 
peal i"  and  to  reply  to  your  kind  request,  I  have  now  taken  my 
pen. 

I  most  heartily  wish  the  great  Head  of  the  church  would  guide 
you  in  your  heavenly  work.  We  feel  the  necessity  of  it  more 
in  the  West  tiian  you  do  at  the  East ;  and  more  since  the  schism 
in  the  General  Assembly.  Every  bond  of  confidence  seems  to 
be  broken.  Old  School  and  New  School  cannot  interchange 
Christian  civilities.  Unless  something  can  be  done  to  unite  the 
scattered  followers  of  the  Lamb  here  in  the  far  TIVs/,  many  years 
of  toil,  and  labor,  and  efibrt,  by  "  the  few,"  will  not  restore  Zion's 
walls,  which  have  been  thrown  down  by  an  explosion  of  hyper- 
orthodoxy,  or  bring  the  public  mind  into  a  state  so  favorable  to 
receive  the  go?pel  as  before.  One  feature  of  the  plan  would  be 
like  the  waters  of  salvation  to  the  little  villages  and  sparse  popu- 
lation of  the  West,  viz. :  "  Let  all  evangelical  denominations 
agree  to  send  no  more  ministers  to  one  spot  than  the  wants  of 
the  people  demand."  In  little  v'llagcs  of  from  one  to  two  thou- 
sand inhabitants,  it  is  not  uncommou  to  see  from  four  to  six 
ministers  !  These  find  a  meagre  support  from  hearers,  and  must 
fan  the  sectarian  flame  much  of  the  time  to  retain  their  footing. 
You  know  what  would  be  the  natural  fruit  of  such  a  couree  of 
procedure ;  of  course  many  other  places  lie  desolate  because 
ministers  cannot  be  had.  Your  jjlan  would  add  one  third  to  our 
efficient  laborers.  I  concur  entirely  in  the  recommendation  of 
Dr.  Krauth. 


From  the  Professors  of  the  Theologifal  Seminary  at  Andover. 
The  nndersigned  have  paid  some  attention  to  the  volume  of 
Dr.  Schmucker,  entitled  an  "Appeal  to  the  American  Churches, 
with  a  Plan  of  Union  upon  Apostolic  Principles."  Without 
expressing  any  opinion  on  the  ])ractical)ility  of  the  precise 
plan  of  union  recommended  by  ScTiinuckcr,  we  very  cheer- 
fully express  our  apjirobation  of  the  general  principles  which  he 
advocates  in  his  Appeal,  and  our  conviction  that  the  whole  sub- 
ject which  he  discusses,  is  worthy  of  the  serious  and  devout 


258 


WITNESSES  FOR  THE  UNITY 


attention  of  evangelical  Christians.  We  cannot  but  hope,  that 
the  extensive  circulation  and  perusal  of  a  volume,  imbued  with 
so  catholic  and  conciliatory  a  spirit  as  this,  will  be  peculiarly 
useful  at  the  present  day;  that  it  will  tend  to  enlarge  and  liber- 
alize the  hearts  of  good  men  ;  and  induce  them  to  think  more 
of  the  great,  essential  doctrines  on  which  they  agree,  and  less 
oTlhe  unessential  points  on  which  they  may  differ. 

JcsTra  Edwards,  D.  D., 
~~^"~"Prcs.  of  Andover  Theol.  Sein. 

Leoxakd  W^oods,  D.  D., 

Abbot  Prof,  of  Christ  Theol. 

Moses  Stuart, 

Associate  Prof,  of  Sacred  Lit. 

Ralph  Emerson,  D.  D., 

Brown  Prof,  of  Eccl.  Hist. 

B.  B.  Edwards, 

Tri  f.  ff  Hebrew  Lang,  and  Lit. 

Edward  A.  Park, 

Bm-lld  Prof  of  Sac.  Rhet. 

From  Rev.  Dr.  A.  Wj-lie,  President  of  Indiana  College  (of  the  Associate 
Reformed  Chm'ch). 

Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, — Your  circular  of  the  15th  ult.  I  have 
just  received.  Your  "Appeal  "  I  had  read  some  time  ago,  and 
last  night  read  it  again  still  more  attentively  ;  and  I  know  not 
how  to  express  with  sufficient  energy  the  satisfaction  it  gave 
me.  Its  truly  Christian  spirit  met  a  cordial  response  in  every 
fibre  of  my  heart.  I  accord  with  the  sentiments  expressed  by 
the  testimonial  of  Dr.  Knox ;  but  I  would  like  to  find  some 
stronger  terms  than  mere  prose  can  furnish,  whereby  to  express 
my  sense  of  the  desirableness  of  the  end  in  view,  and  my  de- 
testation of  the  spirit  and  evils  of  sectarianism,  a  part  of  which 
you  have  so  faithfully  portrayed. 


To  the  Rev.  Dr.  Schnuicker. 
Dear  Snt,    We  have  read  with  interested  attention  your 


OF  THE  saviour's  BODY. 


259 


"Appeal  to  the  American  Churches,"  in  behalf  of  "Christian 
TJniou,"  and  take  pleasure  in  expressing  our  cordial  assent  to 
the  scriptural  arguments  -which  it  adduces,  and  our  earnest 
wishes  for  the  momentous  object  which  it  is  designed  to  pro- 
mote. We  do  not  believe  that  there  is  a  minister  of  our  own 
denomination  in  the  land,  who  would  not  hail  with  thankful- 
ness the  accomplishment  of  that  object  on  just  and  truly  catho- 
lic principles.  The  settlement  of  such  princiijles  forms  the 
chief  difficulty.  We  shall  rejoice  to  see  this  repioved,  and 
Christians  of  every  name  united  in  affection,  and  acting  in  con- 
cert. 

Although  we  cannot  pledge  ourselves  to  the  adoption  of  a  new 
creed,  or  the  prosecution  of  any  plan  not  of  the  most  general 
and  scriptural  character,  we  think  that  the  publication  of  your 
very  able  essay  will  be  useful  in  presenting  the  whole  subject  to 
the  notice  of  our  countrymen,  and  diffusing  much  light  on  some 
of  the  points  involved  in  it. 

We  are,  very  respectfully, 

Your  friends  and  brethren, 

PniLip  F.  Mateh,  D.  D., 

Pastor  of  St.  John^s  Church.,  Phila. 
Caxs.  R.  Demme,  D.  D., 
President  of  the  Evan^.  Lut/ieran  "  Synod  of  Pennsylvania,^^ 
and  Pastor  of  Zion's  and  St.  MichaePs  Church. 

Stepheit  a.  Mealy, 

Pastor  of  St.  Matthew's  Church. 
G.  A.  Rf.iciiart, 
Atsociate  Pastor  of  Zion's  and  St.  MichaeVs  Church,  Phila. 


From  Rev.  Dr.  Ludlow  (of  the  Reformed  Dutch  Chnrcli),  Provost,  and 
Rev.  Dr.  'Wylic  (of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church),  Professor  of 
Languages,  iu  the  University  of  Pennsylvania. 

Univeksity  op  Pennsylvania,  Feb.  13,  1839. 
Rev.  anu  Dkak  Sir, — We,  the  undersigned,  have  received 
and  read  with  great  interest,  your"Api)eal  to  the  Churches." 
We  cannot  too  niucli  .'iilinire  the  spirit  wliicli  prrvadcs  it,  and 


26o  UNITY  OF  THE  SAVIOUR'S  BODY. 


the  end  which  it  has  in  view.  We  deeply  deiDlore  the  divisions 
and  distractions  in  the  church  of  Christ,  and  ardently  long  for 
the  day  when  the  watchmen  shall  see  eye  to  eye.  With  all  our 
desire  to  hasten  such  an  event,  we  are,  however,  not  prepared  to 
express  a  decided  opinion  upon  the  plan  which  you  propose. 
Yet  great  good  will  unquestionably  result  in  keei)ing  this  object 
distinctly  before  the  church,  and  we  sincerely  hope  that  your 
Christian  labors  in  the  good  cause  will  be  attended  with  the 
most  hajjpy  results. 

Yours,  affectionately,  in  the  gospel, 

John  Ludlow, 
Samuel  B.  Wtlie. 


Extract  of  a  letter  from  Rev.  J.  C.  Owen,  Prineipal  of  "  Cornelius  Insti- 
tute," New  York,  accompanying  a  number  of  siguatures  to  Dr.  Jenks' 
recommendation. 

New  York,  X,>t.  IG,  1839. 
Rev.  and  Deak  Sir, — I  hereby  send  you  the  preceding  re- 
commendation to  your  truly  valuable  work  on  Christian  union. 
More  names  would  have  been  added  at  our  meeting,  but  many 
of  the  brethren  have  not  perused  the  work  with  that  attention 
which  would,  in  their  estimation,  warrant  their  adding  their 
names  to  a  recommendation.  I  have  not  heard  one  speak  un- 
favorably of  it.  I  hope  the  Lord  will  smile  upon  your  truly 
Christian  efforts  to  bring  about  that  Christian  union  which  the 
genius  of  the  go.spel  and  the  advancement  of  true  religion  de- 
mand. 

Yours,  in  the  bonds  of  the  gospel, 

John  J.  Owen. 

Rev.  S.  S.  ScnxiucKEit,  D.  D. 


FEOPOSALS  BY  THE  AUTHOE. 


It  is  the  design  of  the  writer  to  annex  to  succeeding  editions 
of  this  little  work,  which  is  stereotyped  for  more  general  circu- 
lation, a  progressive  catalogue  of  signatures,  and  he  hereby  in- 
vites ministers  of  all  orthodox  denominations,  who  approve  of 
the  plan,  and  are  willing  that  the  influence  of  their  names 
should  aid  in  advancing  this  noble  cause,  to  forward  their  sig- 
natures, by  letter,  post-pitiJ,  to  the  author,  adding  their  official 
designation  in  full,  to  prevent  mistakes. 

In  advancing  this  cause,  the  active  co-operation  of  the  ben- 
evolent and  liberal-minded  in  all  denominations  is  invited.  If 
the  principles  of  the  plan  arc  truly  apostolic,  it  is  desirable  that 
every  minister  in  the  land  should  have  a  copy.  Some  copies 
will  be  bound  in  pamphlet  form  for  distribution  mail.  The 
writer  has  distributed  a  large  numl)er  :it  his  own  expense,  and 
he  is  willing  to  take  the  trouble  to  have  any  number  of  copies 
distributed  by  mail  under  his  own  eye,  furnishing  the  copies  at 
cost,  and  his  actual  expenditure  in  having  them  put  up  for  the 
mail.  Donations  arc,  therefore,  invited,  to  be  expended  entirely 
in  gratuitous  distribution  of  the  Plea,  to  such  persons  whoso 
names  und  pout-office  addrens  may  Ix;  furnished  l)y  the  donor;  or, 
if  none  are  named,  to  such  ministers  and  inlluential  laymen 
throughout  the  land,  as  the  author  may  judge  most  advanta- 
geous to  the  cause. 

For  ten  dollars  the  author  will  distribute  between /orty  and 
fifty  pamplik't  copies,'  which  would  supply  all  the  ministers  in 
some  presljyteries.  Thousands  of  copies  might  thus  Itc  dis- 
tributed by  mail  to  the  leading  minds  of  our  land. 

Will  not  some  friend  of  union,  in  each  ecclesiastical  body, 
furnish  the  means  to  supply  the  ministers  or  elders  of  his  prcs- 

(i6i) 


262 


THE  author's  proposals. 


bytery,  or  convention,  or  conference,  or  synod  2  or  the  candidates 
for  the  ministry  in  theological  seminaries,  or  in  colleges  ? 

The  printed  minutes  of  ecclesiastical  bodies,  or  catalogues  of 
seminaries  or  colleges,  often  contain  the  full  address  of  their 
members,  and  if  forwarded  with  the  donation,  will  serve  as  a 
directory  for  the  distribution. 

Copies  not  to  be  distributed  from  this  place  by  mail,  must  be 
procured  from  booksellers,  and  cannot  be  furnished  by  the 
author. 

As  to  the  adoption  of  the  j)lan  hy  individual  denominations,  the 
duty  and  glory  of  that  is  left  to  the  leading  minds  and  active  friends 
of  the  Redeemer  in  each.  Will  they  not  speedily  come  to  the  help 
of  the  LDrd,  by  stepping  forth  in  behalf  the  plan,  forming  vol- 
untary associations  of  its  friends,  and  bringing  it  before  their 
several  judicatories  for  discussion  ? 

Getttsbueo,  Pa.,  March  26,  1839. 


'^iilliii  ill  ilillil  ill  lilliilill 

1   1012  01186  4271 


Date  Due 

DEC  ? — 

-. 

3>'. 

